Martin named to National League of Nursing’s 2026 Leadership Academy

AUCON’s Chris Martin was recently named to the National League of Nursing’s 2026 NLN Leadership Academy for Social Determinants of Health and Social Change. The year-long program seeks to bring about positive social change and health equity through intensive, immersive professional development.

Martin, associate clinical professor and coordinator of AUCON’s traditional BSN program, was chosen following a competitive application process for his achievements in the social determinants of health and social change arena. He is one of only nine health professionals nationwide to be chosen for this honor.

“I truly believe that health takes place in communities. That belief, paired with Auburn’s land grant mission, inspires my work to better understand the social drivers of health and create new and engaging ways for our students to understand the link between communities and health,” Martin said. “With that understanding, the next generation of Auburn nurses will be well suited to promote health in Alabama communities and beyond.”

As part of the NLN Leadership Academy, Martin will participate with other experienced nurse educators in planned activities dedicated to academic excellence, including practice in scholarly writing, research, curriculum development, and enhanced leadership competencies.

“The NLN Leadership Academy will help equip nurse educators and interprofessional teams of health care providers with essential knowledge, skills, tools, and evidence-based resources. In turn, they will prepare nurses and other clinicians to support positive social change and achieve a more equitable health care system,” said NLN Chair Yolanda VanRiel.

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.