Spokesperson Bios

Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN
AACN President

Dr. Jane Kirschling is the Dean and Professor of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Previously she held administrative and faculty positions at the University of Kentucky (Dean and Professor, College of Nursing), University of Southern Maine (Dean and Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions), University of Rochester (Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor, School of Nursing), and Oregon Health & Science University (Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Professor). Read More...

Geraldine Bednash, PhD, RN, FAAN
AACN Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director

Geraldine “Polly” Bednash, PhD, RN, FAAN, was appointed executive director of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in December 1989.  In her role as Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Bednash oversees the educational, research, governmental affairs, publications, and other programs of the organization that is the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate-degree education programs in nursing – the nation’s largest health care profession. Read More...