The National League for Nursing redesignation places Fairfield among a select group of nursing schools nationwide recognized for excellence in nursing education.
Fairfield University’s Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies has been redesignated as a Center for Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing (NLN), one of the highest distinctions in nursing education. Fairfield is one of only 20 schools to receive the honor in 2026, marking the Egan School’s third consecutive designation since 2018.
The recognition underscores Fairfield Egan’s sustained leadership in nursing education and affirms the school’s commitment to preparing skilled, compassionate nurse leaders through outstanding teaching, innovation, and academic excellence. For students, alumni, and the broader Fairfield community, the redesignation signifies the continued national strength and reputation of an Egan education.
“This recognition is an extraordinary honor for the Egan School and a powerful affirmation of our mission,” said Dean Patricia Simino Boyce, PhD, RN. “To be redesignated as a Center of Excellence reflects the dedication of our faculty, the success of our students, and our shared commitment to advancing nursing education at the highest level.
National Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Education
The NLN is the nation’s leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Since launching the Center of Excellence program in 2004, the organization has recognized schools that demonstrate excellence in key areas of nursing education, including student learning and professional development, faculty expertise, and the advancement of the science of nursing education.
Currently, only 95 schools nationwide hold the designation of NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education, placing Fairfield Egan among a highly selective group of institutions recognized for shaping the future of the profession.
Honored for Faculty Expertise & Teaching Innovation
Fairfield Egan was initially named a Center for Excellence in 2018 and redesignated in 2022. This third straight recognition in 2026 highlights the school’s sustained commitment to student-centered learning, pedagogical innovation, and academic distinction.
In its latest designation, the NLN specifically recognized the Egan School for the pedagogical expertise of its faculty—an acknowledgement of the school’s excellence in teaching and its focus on hands-on preparation through simulation-based learning and strategic clinical partnerships.
“Our faculty bring exceptional expertise, innovation, and care to the classroom, simulation labs, and clinical learning environments every day,” Dean Boyce said. “This honor recognizes their ability not only to educate future nurses but to inspire them to lead, serve, and make a meaningful difference in the communities for which they will care.”
A Distinction That Reflects Egan’s Ongoing Impact
The redesignation also signals Fairfield Egan’s continued momentum as a national leader in nursing and health studies education. By fostering academic rigor and professional formation, the school continues to equip graduates to meet evolving healthcare needs with confidence, skill, and compassion.
Fairfield Egan will be formally recognized at an Honors Convocation during the 2026 NLN Education Summit in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, 2026.
