The Center of Leadership Excellence in Nursing (CoLEN) is Silliman University’s (SU) and the Silliman University College of Nursing’s (SUCN) focal unit in advancing nursing education, research and policy development for improved health outcomes in the Philippines and the ASEAN region. It is a legendary outcome of over a decade of partnership between SUCN and the Silliman University College of Nursing Alumni Association International (SUCNAAI).

CoLEN explores and opens new opportunities for nursing leaders to address emerging challenges and imperatives on nursing and health care. It is a place where new generation of nursing leaders are mentored and where the SUCN alumni share their expertise with students, health professionals, colleagues and the community. CoLEN is a platform where national, regional or global nursing and health leaders converge to discuss break-through approaches in advancing nursing education and research .for improved health outcomes in the Philippines and other ASEAN countries. The knowledge generated by the Center will be widely disseminated to assist policy makers, health practitioners, educators and service providers make the best-informed decisions in health and health care.

The SUCN through the CoLEN as a leader in cutting-edge research in  nursing education, practice and health policy development for improved health outcomes in the Philippines and the ASEAN region.

CoLEN: a place where…

• New generation of nursing leaders are mentored
• Leadership capacities and professional competencies are enhanced
• SUCN alumni share their expertise with students, colleagues, health professionals and the community
• Cutting-edge nursing and health systems research and transformative models in nursing education and policy are promoted and published
• National, regional and/or global nursing leaders converge to discuss break-through approaches in advancing nursing education, research and health policy for improving health outcomes.

In 2011, early conceptualization of a Center of Leadership (CoL) at SUCN emerged. The CoLwould be an initiative implemented a the SUCN with SUCNAAI support. During the 2012 SUCNAAI Conference in Las, Vegas, Nevada, the proposal developed by a task force from SUCNAAI AND SUCN was presented to the members. Dr. Ben Malayang then suggested that starting with a program of leadership rather than a center of leadership was more doable.  He later coined the acronym POLEN which stands for Program on Leadership Excellence in Nursing.

In 2015, the program was formalized by SUCNAAI with Silliman University (SU) administrators and SUCN.  It was launched with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) between Silliman University and the SUCNAAI.  The MOU included a declaration that PoLEN shall serve as Silliman University’s and SUCN’s focal program in advancing nursing education, research and health policy development towards leadership in the Philippines and ASEAN region.

From being a program, the Dr. Luz Sobong Porter Center of Leadership Excellence in Nursing was approved by the Board of Trustees of Silliman University in June 11, 2022. It was formally launched after the CoVID-19 pandemic , in August 29,2023.

CoLEN is lodged in the College of Nursing under the direct supervision of the Dean.  It particularly aligns with and supports the vision , mission  and goals of the  College.  It is currently headed by two Co-Directors. They work closely with the CoLEN Advisory Group who provides advise, strategic guidance and support to the program.  The initiatives of CoLEN move forward the research, simulation and continuing professional education activities of the College. The SUCNAAI is recognized as a partner providing technical support, mobilize resources (fiscal, experts and partners) and advocates program initiation and sustainability.

CoLEN envisions signature programs to address the current challenges of health care and nursing education.  Transformation of nursing education  and adaptation to the changing landscape in nursing  and health care will be accomplished through the following:

• Leveraging technology in Nursing Education (Simulation Laboratory and Resource Center for SUCN and other nursing schools in the Philippines
• Balik Talent where alumni share their expertise
• Leadership Workshops for nurses in academe and practice
• Community leadership in disaster response and management
• APRN and DNP program ( on-going development in partnership with Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA