Glenville State University President Dr. Mark A. Manchin (center) with pre-nursing students. (GSU Photo/Kristen Cosner)
GLENVILLE, WV – Underscoring the importance of healthcare in West Virginia and beyond, Glenville State University is working to organize existing and future academic programs within a College of Health Sciences. The work, which has been ongoing since last year, has faculty, administrators, industry professionals, and others working together to bring the greatest needs of the Mountain State into better focus.
“We want to add the College of Health Sciences at Glenville State University in order to simply be able to offer more training related to health occupations, counseling and social work, healthcare administration, athletic training, and others in addition to nursing and the other programs we already offer,” said Glenville State University President, Dr. Mark A. Manchin.
The College of Health Sciences is set to launch in Fall 2023, initially with bachelor’s degree programs in Physical Education, Health and Human Performance, and the pre-nursing curriculum required for admission into Marshall University’s Nursing Program. Glenville State’s Health and Human Performance programs currently include majors in exercise science, health promotion, and athletic conditioning and coaching. The College of Health Sciences will initially encompass five faculty members and the inaugural Dean of Health Sciences.
A timeline established by the Health Sciences Taskforce outlines several future programmatic expansions, from Medical Laboratory Technician and Wellness Management to Counseling and Social Work.
“I extend my appreciation to those who have contributed to our Health Sciences Taskforce as we work to development and implement the College of Health Sciences at Glenville State University,” said GSU Provost, Dr. Gary Morris. “In addition to our own faculty and staff, we have received tremendous insight and feedback from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the West Virginia Rural Health Association, the Northern West Virginia Rural Health Education Center, Mon Health, Pierpont Community and Technical College, and Marshall University. The guidance of this group has helped us identify high-need academic and professional degrees in the fields of Health Sciences that will support central West Virginia now and into the future.”
As part of the health sciences expansion at Glenville State, discussions have taken place to utilize a currently vacant space in the lower level of the Waco Center on Glenville’s Mineral Road campus. If utilized, the space would include a skills lab, simulation lab, lecture room, and a “flex space” that would be accessible by students in programs such as Athletic Training, Exercise Physiology, and Physical Therapy. A student lounge and faculty office space would round out the area.
“I think Glenville State University is on an exciting path of growth and improvement with the addition of the College of Health Sciences. There is so much unmet need in the healthcare sector and we want to help fill those needs,” Manchin added.
