Wright State to create new college

Enrollment in Wright State’s nursing program has been growing. CONTRIBUTED

Enrollment in Wright State’s nursing program has been growing. CONTRIBUTED

Wright State University is creating a new health college, which will launch in 2021.

Wright State’s College of Education and Human Services, College of Nursing and Health, School of Professional Psychology and the Department of Social Work, which is currently in the College of Liberal Arts, will be combining to create a new health college that brings the programs together under one umbrella.

“By bringing together the outstanding faculty, staff, students and partners from many of our education and health-related programs, Wright State’s new health college will offer more educational paths leading to in-demand careers, increase access to experiential learning and research opportunities and deliver enhanced preparation for jobs critical to our region,” interim Provost Douglas W. Leaman said in a statement announcing the new college.

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The college — which hasn’t been named yet — will be the first new college at Wright State in over three decades.

The university will formally announce the new health college at a Kick-Off Celebration Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. — with remarks at 4:30 p.m. — in the Student Union Endeavour Room.

The new college will include all of the programs that currently reside in:

• Nursing

• Professional Psychology

• Teacher Education

• Leadership Studies in Education and Organizations

• Social Work

• Human Services

• Kinesiology and Health

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“Through this academic reorganization and commitment to interprofessional work, we offer our promise to deliver an even greater impact to the needs of our region and Ohio,” Leaman said.

Hundreds of people from the Wright State community, including the Academic Organization Review Steering Committee, as well as regional stakeholders, have already contributed more than two years to the early planning of the new college, according to Wright State.

Sue Ott Rowlands, provost of Northern Kentucky University, will lead a visioning session on Feb. 19. Wright State said Rowlands has experience from Northern Kentucky’s recent formation of its Institute for Health Innovation.

Throughout the rest of spring semester, groups of faculty members, staff, students and administrators will map out the structure and logistical details, including proposal of a new name for the college.

These groups will make recommendations in the areas of curriculum, advising and student success, accreditation, workforce development, finances, faculty governance, affiliation agreements, marketing and space.

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