At Galen College of Nursing, there is no better time to celebrate the heartbeat of our institution: the educators and mentors who shape the future of healthcare.

We are thrilled to announce this year’s honorees for Faculty of the Year, the Clinical Staff Nurse Award, and our new Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award. These winners represent the gold standard of nursing education, nominated directly by the people who know their impact best—our students. This year, we received more than 600 nominations.

Faculty of the Year Award

This award recognizes one outstanding faculty member from each campus each year, although not all campuses may have a winner.   We also recognize a faculty member from our Arts & Sciences programs as well as one from each of our online programs. The awards celebrate educators who exemplify a strong dedication to preparing students for a future in nursing, grounded in compassionate care. 

Students nominated faculty based on the following criteria: 

Recipients of the Faculty of the Year Award receive $1,000 in Professional Development Funds, a certificate, and a trophy, recognizing their significant contributions to our community. 

Winners of the 2026 Faculty of the Year Award:  

Beyond just teaching, these faculty members have left an indelible mark on their students, the patients those students will eventually serve, and the nursing profession. By championing both academic excellence and visionary leadership, they bring Galen’s mission and core values to life every single day.

Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award

This year, we are proud to introduce a significant addition to our annual honors: the Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award.

The inspiration for this award came directly from you. Through our Vital Voices survey, we heard a clear and consistent message regarding the profound impact our adjunct faculty have on the Galen community. You shared stories of educators who bring invaluable real-world perspective to the classroom and clinical sites, proving that their dedication is a cornerstone of our students’ success.

In response to that feedback, this award was established to formally recognize the adjunct faculty members who go above and beyond to mentor, inspire, and prepare the next generation of nurses. It is a celebration of those who balance professional practice with a deep commitment to teaching, embodying the excellence and leadership that define the Galen mission.

Winners of the 2026 Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award:  

Adjunct faculty winners will receive $500 in professional development funds, a certificate, and an award. Congratulations to all of our winners of the inaugural Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award.

Clinical Staff Nurse Award

These working nurses have demonstrated excellence, compassion, and professionalism in their interactions with our Galen students during their clinical class time. Clinical educators nominated for this award must also display exceptional nursing knowledge and expert skill, showing how students can improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients in any clinical setting. Many clinicians also went the extra inch to guide and support the career development of Galen students.  

Recipients of the Clinical Staff Nurse Award will receive a trophy as well as a ceremony to honor them at their clinical setting. 

Winners of the 2026 Clinical Staff Nurse Award:  

Please join us in congratulating this year’s award recipients.