The American Academy of Nursing inducted its 2026 Class of Fellows on Saturday, Oct. 10, including Randolph-Macon College’s Founding Director of Nursing, Dr. Cindy Rubenstein.

One of the highest honors of a nurse’s career, Academy Fellowship recognizes a distinguished cohort of nurse leaders for their substantial contributions to improving health outcomes and transforming healthcare.

“It is an honor to be recognized for my work to strengthen the nursing workforce pipeline through national leadership in academic nursing and state initiatives to establish our Virginia Nursing Workforce Center,” Rubenstein said.

The 2026 Class of Fellows represents 39 states, the District of Columbia, and 17 countries, with their collective experience deepening the thought leadership of the Academy’s Fellowship, which includes more than 3,600 dedicated nurses.

Rubenstein joined the RMC faculty in 2018, successfully developing a new BSN program at the College. That program gained accreditation in 2021 and graduated its first class of nurses in May of 2023. She also serves as the past-president and current president-elect of the Virginia Association of Colleges of Nursing, is a leader in nursing workforce development through her role as interim chair of the advisory board of the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center, and was elected to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Nominating Committee this year. 

With over 20 years of experience as a nurse educator, Dr. Rubenstein has led research efforts focused on academic nursing dean role development, nursing education, and political self-efficacy in BSN students. Her scholarly activities have been presented at local, regional, and national meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Rubenstein was awarded a Leadership Excellence Award from the Virginia Nurses Foundation in November 2025.

The American Academy of Nursing serves the public by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge. Academy Fellows are inducted into the organization for their extraordinary contributions to improve health locally and globally.