academics AND partnerships

Connecting Health Professions: Meet Our New Dean

This spring, Timothy Ford, Ph.D., was named dean of the School of Health Professions. Dr. Ford arrived on campus on July 1, 2014. In his new role, he is responsible for leading the divisions of athletic training, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies and physical therapy as a cohesive academic unit.

Ford came to Shenandoah from the University of New England (UNE), where he has served as interim dean of the Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP), dean of graduate studies and public health, and vice president for research and dean of graduate studies. Ford held prior positions at Montana State University and Harvard School of Public Health.

Timothy Ford, Ph.D. on Cooperative Healthcare Education in Northern Virginia

Grants Help Practitioners Address Important Societal Challenges

Three recent federal grants continue to enable the university to strengthen partnerships and academic programs, reach out to non-traditional students and help our nation address important societal challenges.

1. A National Institutes of Health grant, received in 2012, provides support for a new coalition of community members and local organizations within the Lord Fairfax Health District to collaborate for the purpose of reducing infant mortality, especially among groups that experience higher mortality rates. The coalition hosted a workshop at the university in February on Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUIDs) in Virginia.
2. In July 2013, the Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing was awarded a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help integrate interprofessional education into graduate nursing, pharmacy and the health professions. Interprofessional education — a national priority to increase communication and understanding among health providers in order to provide effective and integrated care to patients ­— prepares future health professionals for practice in this environment.
3. In September 2014, the nursing school received another grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — this time to encourage and assist U.S. veterans to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and transition into the civilian nursing workforce. The project places an emphasis on helping veterans earn academic credit for previous experience and educating faculty on ways to work effectively with veteran students. It provides advising and career counseling that synthesize the rich experiences and special attributes veterans can bring to the nursing workforce.

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Sharing Knowledge and Inspiring Entrepreneurship

• The Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business expanded its internship and Global Experiential Learning programs, establishing relationships with Audencia Nantes School of Management in Nantes, France, and Centrum Catolica in Lima, Peru. Both are highly ranked “triple crown” accreditation institutions that offer Shenandoah University business students high quality, faculty-led study abroad experiences.
• Trustee and former CEO of American Woodmark Corporation William F. Brandt Jr. joined Associate Professor of Management Faith Power, Ph.D, and former Circuit City CEO Alan Wurtzel in co-teaching the first masterclass in organizational leadership and culture in fall 2013. A select number of senior students were chosen to participate based upon academic merit and completion of an interview with Dean Miles Davis, Ph.D.
• Brandt also served as keynote speaker at the Distinguished Lecture Series this fall. Following the lecture, he signed copies of his new book, “Compass: Creating Exceptional Organizations: A Leader’s Guide.”
• President of the Richmond Federal Reserve Jeffrey Lacker, Ph.D., visited campus this spring to share his thoughts on the economic landscape in a speech and Q&A with students, faculty, staff and community members.
• The business school hosted its third annual Entrepreneurship Week in November 2013, providing opportunities for regional businesses and students to learn about entrepreneurship and gain expert advice from several experienced guest speakers.

Fast-tracks and Double Majors

• The Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, in partnership with the Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing, developed an MSN/MBA program, with the first cohort beginning classes in fall 2014.
• Shenandoah Conservatory students can now add a Master’s in Performing Arts Leadership & Management with an additional year of study.
• The business school also added two fast-track options:
  • Freshman Bachelor of Business Administration students can enroll in a 4+1 program to earn a MBA with one additional year of classes.
  • Transfer students with two years of credits can enroll in a 2+2+1 option that allows them to earn a MBA with an additional three years of classes.