WASHINGTON, D.C., Apr -4: The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) today announced the appointment of Julie Sanford, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, as Chair of its Board of Directors. Dr. Sanford officially began her two-year term following AACN’s Spring 2026 Membership Meeting held in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Sanford currently serves as the Angelyn Adams Giambalvo Dean and Professor at the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing. A nationally recognized leader in academic nursing, she brings decades of experience in education, research, policy, and practice to her new role.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues across the nation to strengthen nursing’s impact on improving health and healthcare,” said Dr. Sanford. “Having served in leadership capacities at public and private institutions, my experience in diverse academic settings will help ensure that all perspectives are considered in Board decision-making and strategic planning.”

Prior to her current position, Dr. Sanford held leadership roles as dean and professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing and as director of the school of nursing at James Madison University in Virginia. Her distinguished career also includes faculty and leadership positions at the University of South Alabama, University of Southern Mississippi, and Spring Hill College.

A catalyst for innovation, Dr. Sanford has been a strong advocate for advancing nursing education and workforce development. In 2018, she presented testimony before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in support of the reauthorization of Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs. She has secured more than $13 million in federal and foundation funding to expand access to nursing education for underserved populations across Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia. Additionally, she has fostered global academic partnerships with institutions in Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Dr. Sanford has a long-standing association with AACN, having served in multiple leadership roles including Secretary and Member-at-Large on the Board of Directors, as well as positions on key committees and leadership programs.

“Engagement within AACN has helped to strengthen my leadership capacity and deepened my commitment to developing the next generation of academic nurse leaders,” she added.

Joining Dr. Sanford on the AACN Board of Directors are:

• Chair-Elect Valerie Howard, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Treasurer Judith Karshmer, Arizona State University
• Secretary Christine Verni, Niagara University
• Practice Representatives Kimberly Hunter (University of Iowa Health Care) and Julie Swann (Emory Saint Joseph Hospital)
• Members-at-Large: Bimbola Akintade (East Carolina University), Lorna Finnegan (Loyola University Chicago), Eileen Fry-Bowers (University of San Francisco), Mary Ellen Smith Glasgow (Duquesne University), Versie Johnson-Mallard (Kent State University), and Shannon Bright Smith (Florida A&M University)

In addition, AACN’s President and Chief Executive Officer Deborah Trautman serves as an ex-officio member of the Board.

AACN continues to play a pivotal role in advancing nursing education, leadership, and workforce development across the United States.