The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has announced the results of its 2025 election, naming Valerie Howard, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, dean and professor of the UNC School of Nursing, as a newly elected at-large member of the AACN Board of Directors.
Howard has a long history of leadership in nursing education, previously serving in leadership roles at Duke University and Robert Morris University. She has played a key role in shaping simulation-based education and was instrumental in the development of one of the first Simulation Learning Systems, now used in over 400 nursing schools worldwide. She has also served as president of the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning, helping to establish simulation best practices.
Beyond academia, Howard has contributed to workforce initiatives as director of the North Carolina Future of Nursing Action Coalition and as a member of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine Task Force on the Future of the Nursing Workforce. Her involvement with AACN includes serving on the Program Committee, chairing the Doctoral Conference Subcommittee, and working as a state grassroots liaison.
Howard will begin her term on the AACN Board of Directors following the membership meeting at AACN’s Deans Annual Meeting on March 31, 2025.
For the full announcement, visit AACN’s website.
