The Wallace State Community College Department of Nursing received the National League for Nursing’s Center of Excellence Award at the recent NLN Education Summit. Representing the college are from left, Nursing faculty Disha Patel; Nursing administrative assistant Jennifer Dunkle; Project BOOST Coordinator Karen Walton; Nursing faculty Janet Brown; President Dr. Vicki Karolewics; Doctor Ann Bavier, President of the National League for Nursing; Nursing Director Deborah “Pepper” Hoover; Dr. Beverly Malone, CEO of National League for Nursing; Health Science Dean Lisa German; Nursing Coordinator of Clinical Learning Ann Culpepper; Nursing faculty Diane Wilhite; and College Dean Dr. Johnny McMoy. (Photo courtesy of the National League for Nursing).
HANCEVILLE – Representatives of Wallace State Community College and its Department of Nursing Education formally received their award for being designated as a Center of Excellence (COE) in Nursing Education for 2016-2020 from the National League for Nursing (NLN).
The recognition came after a rigorous process through which the department outlined its demonstrated and sustained excellence in faculty development, nursing education research, or student learning and professional development. Wallace State was one of only 15 nursing programs recognized with the distinction.
Wallace State is the only community college in Alabama to have ever received the distinction and one of only two institutions of higher education in the state to earn the honor.
Wallace State’s COE designation was based on its efforts in “Creating Environments that Enhance Student Learning and Professional Development.”
NLN Centers of Excellence are expected to exemplify the League’s core values: caring, integrity, diversity, and excellence. COE faculty bear a responsibility to share their experience, knowledge, and wisdom for the benefit of everyone in nursing education. They are expected to provide guidance and be available as sounding boards to other nursing programs that aim to achieve COE status.
Wallace State Community College’s Department of Nursing Education offers certificate and degree programs, with a three-semester program for a certificate in practical nursing and a five-semester program for an associate in science degree in nursing. This fall, the DNE adopted a new curriculum that will allow each student completing their first three semesters to earn their certification in practical nursing and continue through the program for their associate in science degree in nursing.
For more information about Wallace State’s Nursing program, visit www.wallacestate.edu or call 256-352-8000.
