Our faculty consistently demonstrate expertise in teaching, curriculum design, mentorship, research, and clinical practice, creating transformative learning experiences that prepare students to thrive in today’s complex healthcare environments. This designation reflects our commitment to evidence-based, innovative pedagogy and to cultivating educators who inspire, challenge, and empower the next generation of nursing leaders, setting the standard for teaching excellence and shaping the future of nursing education nationally.
The COE designation reflects our integrated mission and institutional pillars:
- People: cultivating and empowering outstanding faculty, staff, and students
- Education: preparing expert educators and future nursing leaders
- Research: advancing nursing science through innovative research and faculty scholarship
- Practice: fostering exceptional clinical faculty and innovative community partnerships
- Operational Excellence: ensuring high-quality, efficient, and sustainable programs
Impact on Students, Faculty, and Community Partners
- Students benefit from high-quality, innovative instruction that fosters critical thinking, clinical competence, and lifelong learning. With our recognized teaching excellence, our BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs, and post-graduate certificates prepare students to excel in competitive healthcare settings and achieve their professional goals as competent practitioners, educators, practice scholars, and knowledge generators.
- Faculty thrive in a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation, advancing their professional growth, teaching, scholarship, practice, and leadership while shaping the next generation of nursing professionals.
- Community partners gain from a highly skilled, practice-ready nursing workforce, driving improved healthcare outcomes and strengthening the health of the communities they serve.
Building on a Tradition of Excellence
Our commitment to excellence in nursing education is reflected in multiple national recognitions:
- 2023 – The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Healthy Work Environment Award: This award honors schools committed to fostering healthy physical and psychosocial environments, engaging with communities, and achieving excellence in faculty and student outcomes.
- 2024 – The AACN Exemplary Academic-Practice Partnership Award: This award recognizes our long-standing partnership with Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, through which we have advanced nursing education, practice, and veteran care in San Antonio since 1997.
“At our School of Nursing, we view the COE designation as a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and student-centered education. It reflects our commitment to cultivating a learning environment where faculty, staff, students, and the broader community thrive together. By embracing advancing best practices, we are preparing a nursing workforce that is highly skilled, compassionate, and adaptable, ready to meet the evolving health needs of our communities.”
Sonya R. Hardin, PhD, RN, APRN, FAAN
Dean, School of Nursing
Supporting Excellence Beyond Our Walls
“We are committed to guiding and supporting other schools of nursing in pursuing the COE designation. By sharing our experiences, best practices, and lessons learned, we hope to help advance excellence, innovation, and inclusive leadership across nursing education nationwide.”
Azizeh K. Sowan, PhD, RN, MSN, MSDA, MBA, FAAN
Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, School of Nursing
