Allied Health Sciences, Nursing change name
GREENVILLE, N.C. — Two East Carolina University schools have been re-designated as colleges.
The University of North Carolina Board of Governors on Oct. 12 approved a request to change the name of the School of Allied Health Sciences and School of Nursing to the College of Allied Health Sciences and College of Nursing.
Several years ago, the ECU Division of Academic Affairs designated that the schools within that division be recognized as colleges. At the time, no change in status was requested for the schools within the Division of Health Sciences. Recently, the faculty of the schools recommended that their status be changed from school to college based on current guidelines for designation and assessments of similar colleges and schools in the UNC system and across the United States.
“The awarding of college designation status provides recognition of our tremendous growth, productivity and complexity and aligns us more closely with other colleges at ECU,” said Dr. Sylvia Brown, acting dean of the College of Nursing. “We are pleased to share this acknowledgement with our colleagues in the College of Allied Health Sciences as we continue to build a strong Division of Health Sciences.”
The College of Allied Health Sciences, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, was established in 1967 as the Life Sciences and Community Health Institute. It is the largest provider of allied health professionals to the state with an enrollment of more than 700 students, of which 61 percent are at master’s and doctoral levels. There are nine departments: Biostatics, Clinical Laboratory Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Community Health, Health Services and Information Management, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, and Rehabilitation Studies.
“The new designation as the College of Allied Health Sciences recognizes our growth in enrollment, quality of face-to-face and Web-based instruction, and expansion in research that is the hallmark of a vibrant academic unit,” said Dean Stephen Thomas. “Our faculty, staff, students and administrators have worked hard over the years to build an outstanding reputation and our designation as a college is a well deserved recognition of our continuing commitment to excellence, a goal we share with the College of Nursing.”
The College of Nursing was established in 1959, the oldest in the health sciences division, and has an enrollment of 1,047 students in baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral nursing programs. It is the largest producer of new nursing graduates in the state and offers the only nurse midwifery plan of study and alternate entry MSN option for non-nursing bachelor degree holders in the state. The college is known for innovative online outreach efforts designed to increase access to education in rural areas. It serves as a center of excellence for leadership in nursing, professional nursing education, research, service and faculty practice in eastern North Carolina. The college offers program options for registered nurses and post-master’s students to advance their education.