ACTC Practical Nursing Program earns ACEN accreditation

Published on Oct 8, 2026

Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) is proud to announce that its Practical Nursing program has earned initial accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

This accreditation is a significant achievement for ACTC’s nursing program and recognizes the program’s commitment to excellence in nursing education and student success.

“This accreditation is a testament to the dedication of our nursing faculty, who have worked tirelessly to build a program grounded in excellence, accountability, and student success,” said Dr. Steve Flouhouse, vice-chancellor of academic affairs.

The ACEN Board of Commissioners granted initial accreditation to ACTC’s Practical Nursing program during its September 2026 meeting. The effective date of the program’s initial accreditation is March 24, 2025, with the program’s next evaluation visit scheduled for Spring 2031.

“This achievement of initial ACEN accreditation for our Practical Nursing program is a proud moment for our institution,” said Deena Howerton, nursing program administrator. “This success was made possible by an outstanding team of faculty, staff, and stakeholders who worked together with a common goal: providing the highest quality nursing education for our students.”

Howerton says that this achievement validates the commitment to excellence and ensures that graduates are prepared to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the communities they serve, and that she is grateful to everyone whose dedication and teamwork made this accomplishment possible.

“This achievement belongs to everyone who has contributed to the success of the program, and I am honored to celebrate this moment with them.” added Dr. Sara Brown, associate vice-chancellor of health sciences education and online learning.

The ACTC nursing program is made up of twelve nursing faculty members, whose commitment to educating and preparing future nurses was instrumental in earning this accreditation.

ACTC Chancellor Dr. Larry Ferguson said the accreditation is another example of the college’s commitment to providing students with high-quality education and preparing graduates to meet workforce needs throughout the region.

“Accreditation of our Practical Nursing program is a meaningful achievement for ACTC and for the communities we serve,” Dr. Ferguson said. “As the need for skilled healthcare professionals continues to grow, this program plays an important role in preparing students for rewarding careers while strengthening the healthcare workforce across our region.”

To learn more about ACTC’s Practical Nursing program, visit https://ashland.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/nursing-lpn.aspx.