Nominations and Elections
In 2024 - ACHNE Members will vote for President-elect, Treasurer, Southern Region Member-at-Large*, Western Region Member-at-Large*, International Member-at-Large, and two candidates for the Nominating Committee.
*Reminder: You are only allowed to vote for North American Members-at-Large (MALs) for the region in which you live. If you do not live in the Southern or Western region, you will skip this step.
- Southern: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia
- Western: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Available Board Position candidates, responsibilities, and job descriptions can be found below. Click here to download the 2024 Candidate Statements.
Vote by 11:59 pm ET on Tuesday, April 18.
Results will be announced during the 2024 Annual All Members Business Meeting.
Nominating Committee - 2 Positions Available
It shall be the responsibility of the Nominating Committee to propose candidates for the positions of President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Members-at-large, Chairperson for the Nominating Committee, and Nominating Committee members. The Nominating Committee shall prepare the ballot for membership voting.
Eligibility: Two (2) years as an ACHNE member.
Responsibilities:
- Conducts Fall call for nominations for officers.
- Compiles nominations and completes ballot for spring elections.
- Upon return of ballots, tallies results and notifies the Association President.
- Notifies all nominees of the election results.
- Notifies the Board of Directors of election results at the Spring Board meeting.
- Notifies ACHNE members of election results at a time determined by the Association President, either via electronic means and/or in person at the Annual Business Meeting.
- Participates in the orientation of the newly elected Chairperson-elect.
- Assembles relevant documents and materials for collection by Archivist after the Annual Membership Meeting.
- Performs other duties as identified by the President.
Conni DeBlieck, DNP, APRN
Why are you interested in this office?
I have a strong leadership background with PINE, STTI, and ACHNE, as well as experience in the NMSU Graduate Program. I have gained valuable insights into public health nursing practices and collaboration, developed strong leadership skills through committee roles and organizing events, and gained a deep understanding of the challenges faced by community health nursing educators. My active participation in ACHNE has also provided me with advanced knowledge in nursing research and policy development. With my diverse background, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to ACHNE's mission and goals as a leader within the organization. In addition, I am interested in the nominating committee position due to their passion for recognizing and promoting talent within the ACHNE organization. I believe that being part of the nominating committee would allow me to contribute my skills in identifying individuals with the necessary qualities for leadership roles. I believe that carefully selecting candidates for key positions can ensure a diverse and dynamic leadership team, driving positive change and growth within the ACHNE organization.
What expertise and leadership experience do you bring to this position?
Due to my extensive knowledge and track record of leadership in PINE, STTI, and ACHNE, in addition to my participation in the NMSU Graduate program, I am highly qualified to assume a leadership position within ACHNE. Engaging in PINE (Public Health Nursing Excellence) has provided me with invaluable knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of public health nursing and the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Through active participation in STTI (Sigma Theta Tau International) and coordination of numerous events, I have had the privilege of cultivating robust leadership capabilities. Furthermore, my active engagement in the ACHNE has endowed me with a profound comprehension of the obstacles encountered by educators in community health nursing and underscored the imperative for novel educational methodologies.
ACHNE Leadership Experience
- Education Committee
- Research Committee
Additional Leadership Experience:
Including serving as president, governance, counselor, and secretary on the STTI (local Chapter Pi Omega board) since 2010. Since 2015, I have held the position of Co-Chair for the Partnership in Informatics Nursing Education. Additionally, since 2022, I have been a member of the Mental Health Coordination Board at NMSU. I also serve as the MSN-DNP Program Director at NMSU School of Nursing.
What do you see as the major priorities or issues facing ACHNE and how would you contribute to addressing them?
In order to address these concerns or priorities, one could advocate for resources and support for community health nursing education programs as a leader in ACHNE. With the aim of facilitating networking opportunities where members can share their expertise and optimal methodologies. In order to champion opportunities for professional development that are specifically related to curriculum development, research skills, and leadership training. Collaboration with other organizations in the domain of nursing education and active participation in policy discussions are effective strategies for cultivating interdisciplinary cooperation. Additionally, it offers support for initiatives that aim to reduce disparities through the implementation of inclusive curriculum development, culturally sensitive methods, and community engagement strategies. Moreover, it is imperative that leaders of ACHNE stay updated on prevailing trends, actively engage in member consultation regarding concerns, and cooperate in order to resolve the identified challenges or priorities that confront the ACHNE.
Linda Gibson-Young, PhD, CRNP, MBA, FAANP
Why are you interested in this office?
I am seeking a position on the nomination committee for the Association of Community Health Nursing Educators. As the recent Southern Member at Large, we made strides in advancing community health education through active discussion in frequent Zoom Meetings. Such meetings allowed members to connect with classroom, clinical, and community discussions for undergraduate and graduate nursing education. I am passionate about fostering collaboration, innovation, and advocacy within our region. Together, let's amplify the voice of community health educators, address emerging challenges, and enhance the impact of our profession. With your support, I aim to further elevate our association's reach and influence by nominating leaders for positions within this growing organization. We will ensure that community health education remains a powerful force for positive change across the U.S. Thank you for your trust and partnership.
What expertise and leadership experience do you bring to this position?
I bring experience and passion forward in running for this position. We have increased innovations with membership recruitment efforts and engagement throughout the past year and have other ideas to move forward.
ACHNE Leadership Experience
- Southern Region MAL, 2022 - Present
Additional Leadership Experience:
I serve as the Outreach Coordinator for Auburn University College of Nursing and Health Services Director with our Rural Health Initiative. Additionally, I serve as the Alabama Asthma Coalition Chair for our grassroots, non-funded organization. We are currently expanding in all efforts.
What do you see as the major priorities or issues facing ACHNE and how would you contribute to addressing them?
The three major issues impacting members of ACHNE are 1) Community-Centered Curriculum: Through teamwork we can develop and implement nursing education curricula that prioritize community-based learning. Integrate practical experiences within diverse community settings, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world health challenges and fostering a deeper understanding of community health; 2) Cultural Competency Training: Together we can enhance cultural competency training in nursing education to better prepare future nurses for diverse community interactions. We should aim to emphasize cultural sensitivity, awareness of social determinants of health, and strategies for delivering patient-centered care that respects and values the cultural backgrounds of individuals and communities; 3) Increase Interprofessional Collaboration: ACHNE promotes interprofessional collaboration within nursing education programs by fostering partnerships with other healthcare disciplines, social services, and community organizations to highlight a holistic view of healthcare delivery with nurses leading the efforts. We encourage collaboration to address complex community health issues and enhance the effectiveness of healthcare teams. However, we have room to move and will continue advancing. I see these as priority efforts in moving our region forward.