Wallace State Nursing Named Center of Excellence for Third Time

Hanceville, Ala. — The Wallace State Community College Department of Nursing Education has once again been named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing (NLN) The program was the first college or university nursing program in the state to achieve this honor in 2016. This is the third time the program has received the designation.

“This third designation as a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our nursing faculty and staff to student success and professional excellence,” said WSCC President Dr. Vicki Karolewics. “Wallace State continues to set the standard for nursing education in Alabama and beyond, and we are proud to be recognized nationally for our innovation, rigor, and dedication to preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders.”

“Being named a Center of Excellence for the third time reflects the heart of our program—our students, faculty, and clinical partners who work tirelessly to elevate nursing education,” said Department Chair Deborah “Pepper” Hoover. “This recognition affirms our mission to enhance student learning and professional development through evidence-based practices and a culture of continuous improvement.”

Recognition by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence (COE) in Nursing Education distinguishes schools and healthcare organizations that demonstrate sustained, evidence-based, and substantive innovation in a selected area; conduct ongoing research to document the effectiveness of such innovation; set high standards for themselves; and are committed to continuous quality improvement. This recognition indicates a commitment to pursue and sustain excellence.

Wallace State is one of only 21 programs across the nation to receive this designation for the years 2025-2030. The process includes a detailed report of innovative activities that follow a strict criterion which is evaluated by a national committee. By designation, Wallace State’s award is to recognize colleges that Enhance Student Learning and Professional Development.

Wallace State will be recognized in September at the 2025 NLN Summit or Orlando, Fla.

Wallace State’s Nursing program is currently accepting applications for Spring 2026. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 1. Information sessions are scheduled July 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 15 for students interested in learning more about the program. All meetings are held at 2 p.m. in the School of Nursing and Center for Science. For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu/nursing, call 256.352.8199 or email nursingapplicant@wallacestate.edu.

Registration for the Fall 2025 semester is underway, with classes beginning Aug. 19 for regular and Mini Term I classes. Registration and classes for Flex Start Term I begins Aug. 26 and on Sept. 2 for Flex Start Term II. Mini Term II classes begin Oct. 16.

For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu, call Lion Central at 256.352.8236 or come by the Hanceville or Oneonta campus centers. Current and incoming students may schedule an advising session with the Center for Student Success at www.wallacestate.edu/advising.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a Rising Star for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.

 

About the National League for Nursing

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its nearly 45,000 individual and 1,000 institutional members, comprising nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education and health care organizations. Learn more at NLN.org.