Sharon J. Tanner, EdD, RN Appointed NLNAC Executive Director
New York, NY….Sharon J. Tanner, EdD, RN has been named the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission’s new Executive Director effective September 18, 2006. She succeeds Barbara Grumet, JD.
The NLNAC, Inc., a subsidiary of the National League for Nursing located in New York City, is responsible for the accreditation of post-secondary and higher degree nursing education schools and programs including practical nursing, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs. Currently, NLNAC accredits approximately 1,300 nursing programs.
In announcing the appointment, Patricia Forni, PhD, RN, FAAN, Commission Chair of NLNAC said that, “the Commission feels fortunate to have Dr. Tanner assuming this position. She brings a wealth of experience in accreditation activities in both specialized and regional accreditation work. Dr. Tanner is a recognized leader in nursing education with experience in all types of programs as both a faculty member and administrator. In addition, she has been a leader in innovation including various modalities of delivery and integration of new technologies in nursing education. Her proven leadership and experience will enable NLNAC to realize its full potential as the premier accreditation organization for nursing education.”
Most recently, Dr. Tanner served as Associate Vice President for Instruction and Distance Learning for the North Carolina Community College System. Previously, she has served as faculty, associate dean, and academic dean in diploma, associate, and baccalaureate nursing programs. She has been involved in nursing education and nursing service administration for over twenty years.
Dr. Tanner holds a doctorate from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in Administration and Policy Studies in Higher Education with a concentration in assessment and evaluation. She also holds a master’s in nursing with concentrations in primary and secondary care in Maternal-Child Nursing and Women’s Health. Her primary research focus has been related to accountability policies and practices in higher education. In addition, she has practiced in a number of nursing service and administration roles including advanced practice as a clinical nurse specialist.
Active professionally, Dr. Tanner has been involved in regional, state, and national organizations including serving on boards for a number of associations, as a charter member for the Tennessee Center of Nursing, and as president of N-OADN, the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. She has been involved with the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission for more than fifteen years as a peer reviewer and more recently on the Board of Commissioners.
NLNAC supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public through accreditation - a voluntary peer review process to enhance quality improvement in nursing education. Accreditation recognizes educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality.
For more information, please contact:
Alex Mariquit
Manager of Information Systems & Web Design, NLNAC
61 Broadway – 33rd Floor
New York City, NY 10006
Phone: 212-812-0371
Email: amariquit@nlnac.org