Board of Commissioners

Dr. Kathleen Zajic EdD, RN has accumulated extensive experience throughout her 40-year nursing career, emphasizing nursing education for the past 33 years. She currently serves as a Professor of Nursing at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska.

With nearly 15 years of active involvement in the Accreditation Committee for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Dr. Zajic has contributed as a Peer Evaluator, Evaluation Review Panel (ERP) member, and former Board of Commissioner (BOC) member. During her BOC tenure, she served as Vice-Chairperson and chaired various sub-committees, including a recent role on the search committee for the ACEN Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Her academic background includes a Doctorate in Education (with an emphasis in Health Professions) from the College of Saint Mary, a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from Creighton University. Dr. Zajic has held diverse leadership roles, such as Director of Undergraduate Nursing, Chair of Health Professions, and Associate Dean of Health Professions. Throughout her career, she has presented at local, national, and international forums.

Dr. Zajic credits her professional trajectory to her enriching experiences and strong ties with ACEN. While her career has taken various paths, her enduring passion lies in nursing education, accreditation, and public health. Beyond the classroom and clinical settings, Dr. Zajic dedicates her time to providing healthcare services to underserved populations in the Omaha metropolitan area and enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.

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