The Indiana University School of Nursing is proud to announce its renewal as a 2026 National League for Nursing Center of Excellence, continuing a distinguished recognition of the school’s commitment to nursing education.
The designation, in the category of Promoting the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty for the three core IU campuses of Bloomington, Fort Wayne, and Indianapolis, reflects the school’s commitment to excellence and its investment in advancing the teaching expertise of faculty across these campuses.
IU School of Nursing is among 20 nursing schools and programs nationwide selected as this year’s recipients in five categories. The School of Nursing is also recognized as a Center of Excellence in the category of Advance the Science of Nursing Education.
“Earning the NLN Center of Excellence designation reflects the hard work and commitment by these nursing schools and programs to sustain innovation and excellence in every aspect of the academic experience, from classroom to clinic to campus life,” said NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We applaud the 2026 NLN Centers of Excellence and thank them for demonstrating values and actions that transform the ordinary into the extraordinary in nursing education.”
IU School of Nursing has held the NLN Center of Excellence designation of Promoting the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty since 2006, and its 2026 redesignation extends through 2031.
“Our redesignation as an NLN Center of Excellence reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and partners and our shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and student success in nursing education,” said Dean Janet S. Carpenter, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are honored by this recognition and inspired to continue preparing the next generation of nurse leaders.”
The School of Nursing has a longstanding commitment to excellence in teaching and faculty. The redesignation report highlighted the school’s strong record of teaching excellence and educational leadership. Nineteen faculty members hold the NLN Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential, and 18 faculty are members of the IU Faculty Academy on Excellence in Teaching (FACET). In addition, three current faculty members and eight emeriti faculty are Fellows of the NLN Academy of Nursing Education. The report also recognized emerita faculty member Diane Billings, EdD, RN, FAAN, who was named an American Academy of Nursing Living Legend in recognition of her contributions to faculty pedagogy and the preparation of nurses to deliver safe, effective care.
Formal recognition of this year’s Centers of Excellence will take place during the Honors Convocation at the 2026 NLN Education Summit on September 25 in Washington, D.C.
As the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education, NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its nearly 45,000 individual members and 1,000 institutional members, comprising nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education and healthcare organizations.
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About IU School of Nursing
The IU School of Nursing is annually ranked among the top nursing schools in the nation. Founded in 1914, the school offers programs from the BSN through the post-doctorate and is composed of campuses in Bloomington, Fort Wayne, and Indianapolis. The IU School of Nursing is ranked No. 13 in the nation for undergraduate nursing programs and its online MSN in Nursing Education is ranked No. 6 in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Media Contact: Glenda Shaw | 317-278-2048 | glenshaw@iu.edu