College of Nursing dean elected to national nursing education association

College of Nursing dean elected to national nursing education association

GREENVILLE, N.C. (March 16, 2026) - Dr. Bim Akintade, dean of the East Carolina University College of Nursing and a professor of nursing, has been elected as a board member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Akintade will serve a two-year term as an at-large member of AACN, which serves as the national voice for academic nursing and represents more than 890 member nursing schools at public and private universities nationwide.

"As a community of leaders, AACN's success is fueled by our network of engaged members who volunteer their time and expertise to advance our mission and strategic goals," said Dr. Jean Giddens, AACN board chair. "AACN applauds our newly elected board and committee members for their commitment to leading at the intersection of higher education and health care at this pivotal time for the nursing profession."

Akintade arrived at ECU's College of Nursing in 2022 after nearly two decades of clinical practice in the Baltimore area, and teaching and administrative roles at the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

During his time as dean, the CON has experienced significant growth and received national acclaim for its academic successes and service to eastern North Carolina. The college has more than 800 undergraduate students and more than 1,500 students total enrolled - an all-time high.

"I am humbled and honored to be elected to serve as part of this important organization. North Carolina and the nation face a significant challenge with a shortfall of nurses now, and increasingly into the future. We have a solemn responsibility to our students and our country to shape the future of nursing education," Akintade said.

For years, entry-to-practice Pirate nurses have ranked among the nation's best for first-time pass rates for the NCLEX licensure exam.

This year, the CON's online master's programs were recognized by the U.S. News and World Report as having improved in every category nationally. Rankings include ninth overall for best online master's in nursing programs, seventh for best online master's in nursing administration/leadership, sixth for best online master's in nursing education and third for best online master's in nursing programs for veterans.

"ECU's College of Nursing is the flagship nursing education institution in the UNC System. Pirate nursing is recognized by our peers, accrediting bodies and potential students as an industry leader. Being part of this storied tradition will guide my tenure on the board," Akintade said.

Akintade is joined on the board by fellow UNC System nursing faculty member and chair elect Dr. Valerie Howard, dean and professor of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing.

Contact: Benjamin Abel, College of Nursing communications specialist

Telephone: 252-558-2190

Note to Media: Contact Benjamin Abel for interview opportunities with Dr. Bim Akintade

-

About the College of Nursing

For more than six decades, ECU's College of Nursing has educated and mentored nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, nurse educators, nurse leaders, doctors of nursing practice, and nurse scientists who are making a difference in the health care of individuals in our region and beyond. The college is consistently honored with National League for Nursing Center of Excellence designations, and its innovative online offerings consistently earn recognition among the top distance education programs in the country, according to the U.S. News and World Report.

###

East Carolina University News Services

Howard House, 1001 E. Fifth Street

Greenville, NC 27858

[email protected]

Phone: 252-328-6481