Albany State University (ASU) announces that Dr. Deanna Howe, Professor of Nursing and Director of the Graduate Nurse Educator Program, will be inducted into the 19th class of fellows in the prestigious National League for Nursing (NLN) Academy of Nursing Education. Fellows are distinguished leaders who have made substantial and enduring contributions to nursing. They are nationally recognized for their visionary leadership and expertise in shaping the future of nursing education. 

Dr. Howe will be the first faculty member at ASU to receive this distinction. She was recognized for her pioneering leadership in collaborative partnerships that have transformed access and innovation in nursing education. Among her notable achievements are partnerships in the creation of Georgia’s first hybrid Associate of Science in Nursing program for military medics and the development of a statewide RN-BSN consortium, both of which have expanded pathways into nursing, reduced costs for students, and strengthened the healthcare workforce across Georgia.

Reflecting on the honor, Dr. Howe shared, “This recognition is not about me alone but about the colleagues, students, and partners who have walked alongside me in this work. At Albany State University, we are committed to creating opportunities that transform lives and communities through nursing education. I am humbled to be the first from ASU to receive this honor, and I hope it inspires others to continue pushing boundaries for the sake of our students and the patients they will one day serve.”

With this induction, Dr. Howe joins an elite fellowship of more than 400 nurse educators nationwide. Fellows are recognized for advancing nursing education through innovative teaching, faculty development, academic leadership, public policy engagement, and partnerships that strengthen both practice and community health.

The induction ceremony will take place during the NLN Education Summit in Orlando, Florida, on September 19, 2025.

Albany State University celebrates Dr. Howe’s achievement as a milestone for the institution and a reflection of the university’s growing impact on healthcare education and workforce development.