Published on August 19, 2021 by Sara Roman  
Center of Excellence

Samford University’s Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing has been named a Center of Excellence for Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing in Washington, D.C. This is the third time the school has been selected as a Center of Excellence.

Samford was one of just 23 nursing programs from across the country to receive this designation. This year, the school was recognized for excellence in the category of Promoting the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty.

The honor comes as the school prepares to celebrate 100 years of nursing excellence in 2022.

“For 100 years Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing has prepared graduates who provide exceptional, compassionate and patient-centered care. This would not be possible without our faculty,” said Melondie Carter, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing dean and professor. “This designation validates their dedication to our students, school, institution and the nursing profession.” 

A committee of faculty members representing undergraduate and graduate nursing programs worked to complete the 100-page document that highlighted a variety of unique initiatives, educational tools and outstanding outcomes.

“Whether on-campus or in online courses, faculty demonstrate to nursing students ‘Caring is the shining thread of gold that holds together the tapestry of life,” a phrase frequently shared by Mrs. Moffett. We used this quote as the theme for our submission and sought to showcase how our school’s foundational pillars of academic excellence, caring, compassion and service are interwoven within everything we do,” said Andrea Collins, associate professor, director of assessment and chair of the Center of Excellence Application Submission Committee.

Statements from Samford leadership, faculty and staff, as well as nursing students and alumni, were utilized throughout the document as supporting evidence of the faculty’s dedication and commitment to excellence.

Nursing students practicing“The nursing faculty at Samford University are incredibly dedicated individuals. They pour their expertise and effort into providing their students with an outstanding foundation for their nursing career. I am proud to see their efforts recognized and rewarded through this distinction,” said Michael Hardin, provost and vice president at Samford.

Previously, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing was named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education for creating an environment of learning and professional development (2005-2008) and for creating environments that promote the pedagogical expertise of faculty (2017-2020).

The school will receive formal recognition for this prestigious distinction during the 2021 National League for Nursing Education Summit at the Honors Convention on Saturday, September 25.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.