In an effort to meet the ever-increasing demands of the health industry, Salem College in North Carolina has announced a new undergraduate program to prepare the next generation of women leaders in health-related fields.
The revamped undergraduate program will roll out this fall. It will include three new health-oriented majors — Health Sciences, Health Humanities and Health Advocacy, and Humanitarian Systems — along with programs on women’s leadership development and a plethora of internship opportunities, all centering on healthcare leadership.
Today, we are excited to announce that we are embarking on a new journey to become the nation’s only liberal arts institution dedicated to elevating and expanding the role of women in Health Leadership. Read more about it here: https://t.co/NhITCOQF1Z#EmpoweringWomen pic.twitter.com/GzDe3Vs3sH
— Salem College (@SalemCollege) February 24, 2021
School authorities argue that this unique transition would make Salem the only liberal arts college in the country where entire four-year programs are dedicated to elevating and expanding the role of women in health leadership.
College interim President Susan Henking explained, “We know that students that are looking at colleges these days are interested in changing the world and they’re interested in doing it through the lens of health.”
The new curriculum is designed to prepare students in disciplines such as public health, nursing, and physical therapy. After graduation, students can expect to land jobs in public policy, education, law, advocacy, communications, and related areas.
‘We Want to Be the Cutting Edge’
Salem has faced declining enrollment from 2013 to 2018, with the most recent reported enrollment at 842. Authorities are hoping the new emphasis on healthcare leadership will turn their fortunes around.
“We know that not everybody chooses health leadership, but we believe that those who want to will choose us,” Henking said. Although there are no concrete plans yet, Henking said the college is preparing to add more health-related majors in the future.
In addition to the new majors, Salem will incorporate a dozen new health-related courses this year. The college will also bring in more faculty and speakers to address issues relating to healthcare.
“We want to be the cutting edge,” Henking said. “And we think we are.”
