Southern CT State University School of Nursing Designated National League for Nursing Center of Excellence

From Southern Connecticut State University:

NEW HAVEN, CT — The SCSU School of Nursing has been designated a National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence, the first public university in Connecticut to receive this honor.

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The school, recognized in the category of "Promotes the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty," is one of 20 nursing schools and programs selected as 2026 NLN Centers of Excellence™ located throughout the United States and representing the spectrum of higher education in nursing, from certificate-granting programs through advanced-degree academic institutions.

Formal recognition took place at the Honors Convocation during the 2026 NLN Education Summit in Washington, D.C., Friday.

"This is a significant national recognition," said Michele Vancour, interim dean of the College of Health and Human Services. "We are proud to join 114 institutions nationwide, out of approximately 3,000, to hold this prestigious designation. And we're honored to be one of just three institutions in Connecticut, and the only public institution." The other two schools in the state to be recognized are Fairfield and Quinnipiac universities.

Maria Krol, interim executive director of healthcare programs and professor of nursing, explained that the process of working towards this recognition unfolded over the past few years.

About two years ago, Krol said, "we had the idea that we would want to work towards becoming a Center of Excellence, and we began to look into the criteria of what it would take to achieve that goal."

"In order to align our faculty with the new essentials and new competency-based education," Krol said, "we started to invest in them by increasing their professional development and encouraging them to obtain certification as nurse educators. Research, writing, and being invested in curriculum became a focus."

Krol explained that she and her nursing colleagues then collected data, met with a consultant, and finalized a report. "We applied in April of 2026 and were notified in July that we had been accepted as one of the Centers of Excellence," she said.

The nursing faculty must maintain a high level of professional development and curriculum development in order to maintain the school's certification, as it is renewable every four or five years, Krol said.

"Congratulations to these well-deserving 2026 NLN Centers of Excellence. They truly represent the outstanding efforts of academic nursing leadership, faculty and students who collaborate to create programs that inspire and support the development of an outstanding nursing workforce," said NLN Chair Yolanda VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, chair of the Department of Nursing, North Carolina Central University, and patient placement coordinator at First Health of the Carolinas-Moore Regional Hospital.

"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. 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," said NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN.

About Southern Connecticut State University:

Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) is Connecticut's first and only Carnegie-classified Research II university, recognized for its high research activity and commitment to innovation. As a leading public research institution, SCSU is dedicated to academic excellence, community engagement, access, and opportunity.

Located in New Haven, Connecticut, SCSU has a rich history dating back to 1893 and fosters a supportive learning environment that empowers students to become responsible global citizens.

Our world-class faculty and diverse student body collaborate on research and initiatives that address critical societal issues, driving positive change in our local community and beyond. SCSU has been named a Military Friendly® School for three consecutive years and is recognized as a top-producing Fulbright institution, underscoring its dedication to opening doors and expanding opportunities for students of all backgrounds.

For more information about Southern Connecticut State University, please visit www.southernct.edu.