#United States #Washington D.C. #Nursing Education #AACN #Julie Sanford

Dr. Julie Sanford Assumes Role as Chair of AACN Board

March 31, 2026, marks a significant day for nursing education as Dr. Julie Sanford, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, begins her tenure as Chair of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Board of Directors. Dr. Sanford is currently the Angelyn Adams Giambalvo Dean and Professor at The University of Alabama's Capstone College of Nursing.

In her statement following the Spring 2026 Membership Meeting held in Washington, D.C., Dr. Sanford expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "I am thankful for the chance to collaborate with colleagues across the country to enhance nursing's role in improving health and healthcare systems across the nation."

Dr. Sanford's background is nothing short of impressive. She has a long history of leadership roles in reputable nursing schools, having served as Dean at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing, as well as leading the nursing school at James Madison University. Her academic influence extends to the University of South Alabama, University of Southern Mississippi, and Spring Hill College. Her extensive experience positions her uniquely to consider a wide array of perspectives in Board discussions and strategic planning.

In addition to her administrative achievements, Dr. Sanford has passionately advocated for improvements to nursing education and practice. Notably, she testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in 2018 in favor of the reauthorization of Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs. Her efforts attracted over $13 million in funding aimed at increasing access to nursing education for marginalized communities in rural areas of Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia.

Beyond the national scope, Dr. Sanford has been active internationally, forging partnerships with universities across Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom to promote research and study opportunities.

Within AACN, Dr. Sanford has held various influential positions, including Secretary and Member-at-Large, and has contributed to several committees. She also chairs the Baccalaureate Education Conference Planning Subcommittee and has previously worked as a mentor in the New Dean Mentoring Program.

Her connection with AACN has, as she describes it, "helped to enhance my leadership capabilities and reinforced my commitment to preparing the next generation of nurse leaders." Dr. Sanford’s extensive involvement in AACN showcases her strategic thinking and decision-making abilities that will undoubtedly benefit the organization during her term.

Working alongside Dr. Sanford on the AACN Board are various other distinguished members, including Chair-Elect Valerie Howard from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Treasurer Judith Karshmer from Arizona State University. With them, they strive towards the common goal of advancing nursing education and practice across the United States.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing, as a leading voice for academic nursing, represents over 890 nursing schools from both public and private sectors across the nation. The ACA’s mission focuses on establishing quality standards for nursing education, aiding institutions in implementing these standards, and actively influencing the nursing profession to enhance healthcare.

As Dr. Sanford embarks on her new role, the expectations of her leadership will likely open new doors for innovative policies and programs that promise to enhance nursing education and practice, thus ensuring that the needs of nurses and the communities they serve are effectively met.