Eleven University of Maryland School of Nursing Faculty Members Receive Academic Nurse Educator Certification Awards
May 15, 2025
Baltimore, Md. – Eleven University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been recognized with Academic Nurse Educator Certification (ANEC) Awards from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) through the Nurse Support Program (NSP) II. UMSON received 11 of the 54 awards issued statewide, representing more than a fifth of all ANEC awards conferred this year.
The faculty were each awarded the maximum amount of $5,000 for demonstrating excellence as an academic nurse educator through achieving the National League for Nursing’s Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential, either through initial certification or recertification. The faculty are:
- Susan L. Bindon, DNP ’11, MS ’96, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, FAAN, ANEF, associate professor, associate dean for faculty development, and director of the Institute for Educators
- Naomi Cross, MSN, RN, C-EFM, CNE, clinical instructor
- Amy L. Daniels, PhD ’18, MS ’12, BSN ’89, RN, CHSE-A, CNE, director of clinical simulation and assistant professor
- Malissa da Graça, DNP ’21, MS ’07, RNC, FNP-C, CNE, assistant professor
- Melissa McClean, MSN, ANP-BC, NP-C, ACHPN, CN, clinical instructor
- Sun Young “Sunny” Park, DNP ’22, MS ’17, CNE, FNP-C, CNE, assistant professor
- Mary Grace “Molly” Renfrow, DNP ’18, FNP, CNE, assistant professor
- Ciara Smith, DNP, PMHNP-BC, CNE, assistant professor
- Taylor Jones Swing, DNP ’18, RN, CRNP-PC, CNE, assistant professor
- Cory Stephens, DNP, RN, NI-BC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, CNE, assistant professor
- Rebecca N. Weston, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, assistant professor
The CNE credential establishes nursing education as a specialty area of practice and creates a means for faculty to demonstrate their expertise in this role. It communicates to students, peers, and the academic and health care communities that the highest standards of excellence are being met. By becoming credentialed as a CNE, faculty serve as leaders and role models.
“We are grateful for the generous support provided to nurse faculty through the Academic Nurse Educator Certification Awards and for the ongoing efforts of the Maryland Higher Education Commission to encourage nurse faculty to achieve or maintain National League of Nursing Certified Nurse Educator certification,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “The study and preparation that goes into achieving or maintaining this credential speaks to the commitment of these 11 faculty members to excellence in teaching. This year we had nine individuals receiving the CNE credential for the first time and two individuals who were renewing their certification for the second time. I congratulate each of them on their accomplishment.”
Developed under the NSP II, which is funded by the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by MHEC, the ANEC award program recognizes professionalism in support of ongoing faculty development requirements necessary to maintain the CNE credential. The award is intended to reinforce the use of the CNE as one measurement of excellence in nursing programs and to support the retention of outstanding academic educators.
The award funds may be used to supplement the awardee’s salary; to pay for activities for professional development, including conference fees, travel, and expenses for speaking engagements; to pay professional dues, CNE examination fees, and continuing education expenses; or to assist with graduate education expenses, such as loan repayment.
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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling more than 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.