Kathleen Williamson, PhD, RN, will be inducted into the prestigious 2025 Class of Fellows of the National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education—a recognition of her decades-long commitment to preparing the next generation of nurses.
Williamson, associate dean and professor at the IU School of Nursing in Fort Wayne, joined the faculty in 2023. With 20 years’ experience in higher education, as a faculty member, college administrator, and chief academic/nursing officer, she has dedicated her career to advancing nursing education and leadership.
She joins a class of 23 nurse educators selected as the 19th class of fellows for induction during the 2025 NLN Education Summit in Orlando, September 17-19. They join a fellowship of leaders in nursing education who teach in a range of programs across the spectrum of higher education.
“Fellows proudly support the mission and core values of the National League for Nursing while assisting in the work required to prepare graduates from all types of nursing programs, implementing transformative excellence in nursing education with daring ingenuity," said NLN president and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN.
Vital Signs asked Williamson more about her chosen path and what this recognition means:
Vital Signs: What was your reaction when you learned you were selected as a new fellow?
Williamson: I was both humbled and deeply honored. My first reaction was one of gratitude for the mentors, colleagues, and students who have walked alongside me throughout my journey in nursing education. This recognition affirmed not just my own efforts, but the collective commitment to advancing excellence and innovation in nursing education. It was also a very energizing moment, I immediately began thinking about how I could use this platform to give back and continue to transform how we prepare the next generation of nurses. Having been an educator for more than 30 years, started teaching in high school before moving into higher education, this honor feels like a full-circle moment.
Vital Signs: What part of your work are you most proud of?
Williamson: What I’m most proud of is creating opportunities for faculty and students to grow and succeed. Over the years, I’ve mentored countless faculty, staff, and students, helping them discover their strengths and build confidence in their own abilities. What I feel most proud of falls into a couple of categories. First, it’s having the opportunity to educate the next generation of nurses. I’ve loved every part of that journey from teaching in the classroom to stepping into leadership roles because it has allowed me to connect with students, encourage them to persist, and help them see the impact they can make as nurses. Along the way, I’ve also been passionate about showing how evidence-based practice can truly transform patient care, and how technology can be leveraged to enhance both education and practice. Those areas have been exciting spaces of innovation in my career, but at the heart of it all, what matters most to me is inspiring and supporting students to stay in nursing and find joy in the profession.
Vital Signs: What advice would you give to younger nurse educators hoping to have similar impact?
Williamson: My advice is to embrace education as the foundation of your journey and to stay open to the many paths nursing offers. I come from a family of nurses, seven of us across generations, and every one of us has followed a different path. For me, that path has been education, and I tell both students and faculty that teaching, too, is a calling. You must have a passion for it. Nursing education is not just about teaching content, it’s about mentoring, inspiring, and shaping future nurses who will touch countless lives. So, my advice is this: find your mentors, stay passionate, and be open to innovation, whether it’s technology, evidence-based practice, or new teaching methods, but always let compassion and connection guide your work. Nursing education gives you the privilege of shaping the next generation, and if you embrace the journey with heart and curiosity, your impact will be lasting.
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Founded in 1914, Indiana University School of Nursing is one of the largest nursing programs in Indiana that offers programs from the BSN through the doctorate. The school is composed of campuses in Bloomington, Fort Wayne, and Indianapolis.
Media Contact: Glenda Shaw | 317-278-2048 | glenshaw@iu.edu