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Dean’s Report to Alumni: SON Accreditation Review Summary

Dear Alumni and Friends,

I want to acknowledge each and every one of you for the learning environment we nourish at Carolina. The report back from our CCNE site visitors today was external affirmation that we have a good thing going here. As you know for the last three days we have been visited by four colleagues from across the country who acted on behalf of our external accrediting body (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) to evaluate whether or not we meet standards set forth by AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) as essential to educating nurses at the baccalaureate level for entry into practice or at the masters level for entry into advanced practice.

This review actually took place after we underwent an extensive self-study. That honest scrutiny of our own efforts involved taking a good hard look at our academic programs, our faculty, our students, our staff, and our processes and outcomes (Do our current students get the education they need?; Are they satisfied with their education?, Do they feel empowered to speak up when they are dissatisfied?; Do the faculty deliver a quality education? Does the clinical expertise and research productivity of the faculty match the expectations of the University and the profession?; Does the staff-driven infrastructure support a high quality program? Does administration support the academic mission?; Does the University support the School and it’s academic missions?; Do alums look back and say – you prepared us well?; Do employers agree that we prepared nurses ‘fit to serve?”).

Our self-study was led by Dr. Maggie Miller, Assistant Dean for Operations and Strategic Initiatives. Her colleagues in gathering evidence and co-writers include Dr. Susan Brunnsen, Dr. Carolyn McKenzie, Dr. Shielda Rogers, and Ms. Julie Paige. They were extremely well supported by Ms. Jill Summers, Ms. Kathy Lebbad, and Ms. Brandy Elsenrath. MEC Chair, Dr. Debra Barksdale; MSN Program Director, Dr. Jennifer D”Auria; BEC Chair, Ms. Julie Paige, BSN Director, Dr. Beverly Foster: and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gwen Sherwood all played a strong part in pulling together evidence that, as we claimed, quality education programs were delivered, (of course, faculty teaching in the baccalaureate and masters courses all had something to do with those excellent programs!!!). Staff in the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Admissions/Student Services pulled together in multiple ways to help us deliver on the self-study and site visit. Much of their work was behind the scenes – as they helped find data, reports, and web links.

There were so many other faculty and staff in our school that contributed to the writing of the self-study and the success of the site visit: Faculty Chair, Dr. Mary Lynn, as well as faculty and staff members from OASS, IIT, the Health Sciences Library, the three Divisions, OAA, OAS, RSC , OMA, and Advancement. As I write there are so many individuals who come to mind. Our Foundation Board, colleagues in practice (CNOs from Rex, UNC Hospital, WakeMed, Duke, the Durham VA), Faculty who teach in pre- nursing classes, our Alumni, our preceptors, and I am sure still many more who will become apparent to me after I hit the “send” button. All I can say is a BIG thank you to all!!!

I also acknowledge our former Dean Linda Cronenwett. This was a review of programs since our last site visit and so much of what we had to ‘brag on’ came about because of decisions made on Dean Cronenwett’ s watch. I am grateful to our Chancellor, Dr. Holden Thorpe, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, Dr. Bruce Carney, and Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Steve Matson. Each of these University leaders took time to meet with our visitors and share their sincere support for our School.

Last of all, I celebrate our students. They are awesome and it is a privilege to learn with them. As noted by our site visitors, Carolina students are most impressive.

We have the right to feel satisfied. We know we met all standards. Now we await the official word about our accreditation, the recommended length of accreditation, and any areas we might want to ‘tweak’. I would say we earned the right to enjoy our turkey – Happy Thanksgiving to all. We have so many reasons to give thanks.

Go Heels!
Dean Kristen Swanson, RN, PhD, FAAN