SHARKS RX Spring 2016 Magazine

A NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY 6 Chancellor’s Communiqué Frederick Lippman, R.Ph., Ed.D. Chancellor, Health Professions Division s I have discussed in previous messages, Nova Southeastern University has been undergoing a transformation related to the realignment of various academic programs. This realignment has created an ancillary benefit, allowing the Health Professions Division (HPD) colleges to look into establishing new baccalaureate and certificate programs that can help channel new students into the graduate and first-professional degree programs. Currently, about 80 percent of NSU’s undergraduate matriculants are biology majors, with many of them seeking opportunities to gain preliminary exposure within the HPD to our pedagogy, labs, and research methods. As a result, the soon-to-be eight HPD colleges are working diligently to establish these types of opportunities. For example, the College of Medical Sciences created a program that allows undergraduate biology majors to attend presentations in the anatomy lab during a two-week summer session. This initiative provides a wonderful opportunity for undergraduate students to involve themselves in activities that may lead them to pursue specific careers within the health professions. In an effort to provide additional educational opportuni- ties to first-time college students, a number of bachelor’s degree programs are being proposed or developed within the HPD colleges in areas such as nutrition, medical education, and public health. The establishment of new certificate programs that will enhance the educational mix, such as one for pharmacy technicians, is also being considered. After reviewing some recent admissions data regarding students who matriculate into the HPD programs, it has become evident that these students know our university is going through a positive academic realignment. Many of these students have also expressed to our admissions teams that they believe NSU is a very holistic and interprofessional academic entity. NSU is at a very exciting point in its history. As we continue to enhance our educational offerings and enrich our reputation, the significance of these advancements will be of tremendous value to us in the future. As a result, we will attract exceptional students to our programs and recruit additional first-rate faculty members and researchers to teach and prosper in our colleges.