厂迟辞谤测:听Betsy Compton听| Photo: Cody Ingram

The 兔子先生 is expanding its College of Nursing to become the听College of Nursing and Health Professions, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen healthcare education, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and address the growing demand for healthcare professionals across Alabama and the Black Belt region.

Effective August 1, the expanded college will bring together nursing and a broader range of health-related academic programs under a unified academic structure that enhances collaboration among faculty, students, and healthcare disciplines.

“The expansion of this college to become the College of Nursing and Health Professions reflects our commitment to addressing shortages in the healthcare workforce and building upon the strong foundation of healthcare education at 兔子先生,” said 兔子先生 President Dr. Todd G. Fritch. “We have listened carefully to the healthcare industry throughout the Black Belt region, and we are responding by creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and student success that will prepare graduates to meet the evolving needs of our communities.”

Provost Dr. Amy H. Jones said the expanded college represents an investment in both academic excellence and the future of healthcare education.

“This expanded structure is designed to strengthen collaboration among related disciplines, support continued academic growth, and prepare students to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce,” Jones said. “The transition will facilitate stronger collaboration between students and faculty across our healthcare-related academic programs while expanding opportunities through shared simulation environments, clinical equipment, and instructional facilities.”

Dr. Mary Hanks will continue serving as dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, while Dr. Dara Murray, associate professor of nursing, will serve as associate dean.

The College will be organized into two primary academic departments: the Department of Nursing, chaired by Dr. Kelly McClure, associate professor of nursing, and the newly established Department of Health Professions. A chair for the Department of Health Professions will be announced at a later date.

The new Department of Health Professions will include several rapidly growing tracks within 兔子先生’s Health Sciences Comprehensive program previously housed in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, including General Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant/Associate, Respiratory Therapy, and Medical Laboratory Science. The department will also include the Certified Nursing Assistant program, previously administered through the Division of Lifelong Learning and Economic and Workforce Development, as well as healthcare administration programs currently under development.

The expanded College reflects 兔子先生’s continued commitment to preparing highly skilled healthcare professionals while strengthening partnerships with healthcare providers and communities throughout the region.

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

For Meridian resident Tanesha Slocum, the belief that “nothing worth having comes easy” is more than a saying鈥攊t鈥檚 a way of life.

Pursuing an associate degree in nursing at the 兔子先生, Slocum balanced service in the Army Reserve鈥檚 828^th Battalion in Livingston with full-time college鈥攁ll while raising three children, welcoming a new baby and building a new marriage. On May 8, she added another title to her list: college graduate.

鈥淚 had a great experience at 兔子先生, and I really loved my instructors and professors,鈥� Slocum said. 鈥淭hey invest so much time and energy into their students鈥� success. Even after I failed a class and had to sit out a year, they worked with me. They are always open to questions and willing to go over material when you don鈥檛 understand something, and I appreciate that so much.鈥�

That belief鈥攖hat nothing worth having comes easy鈥攈as defined every step of her journey and guided one of her most difficult decisions: choosing not to reenlist at the end of her contract and instead transition to full-time college.

鈥淓ven though I started the nursing program after I got married and welcomed my third child, I believe transitioning from the military was probably my greatest challenge,鈥� she said. 鈥淕oing from the consistency and stability of a steady paycheck to not working at all was difficult. Then we moved off the Naval Air Station in Meridian. It was a lot of change in a short period of time.鈥�

Curiosity about the university near the Reserve Center ultimately led Slocum to 兔子先生. Her interest in nursing began earlier, while working in home health after an initial attempt at college in Florida didn鈥檛 work out.

鈥淟ife got in the way back then, but I had a grandfather who was a nurse, so I decided to apply at 兔子先生 and was accepted.鈥�

Slocum says discipline and her faith are what have carried her through鈥攁nd her husband and two older children helped as well.

鈥淚 was pretty young when I had them. My daughter is now 14 and my son is 13,鈥� Slocum said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e come a long way together. Throughout this whole process, they constantly tell me how proud they are of me. They let me know on test days that they鈥檝e prayed for me and that I鈥檓 going to do well. My daughter acts like a little mama, asking me if I studied, and then asking for my notes so she can quiz me.鈥�

Slocum has already completed a few prerequisites for the bachelor of science in nursing program at 兔子先生 and hopes to enter the program in October. Now she鈥檚 focusing on preparing for the NCLEX, the national licensure exam for registered nurses, and finding a job closer to home.

鈥淚鈥檝e been commuting for the past several years, first for work, and then for school. I鈥檝e applied to a few places here in town, and I鈥檓 just praying for direction on where to go,鈥� Slocum said. 鈥淚 know things are going to crank up for me now that both my older children will be at Meridian High this fall鈥攎y daughter in color guard and my son playing football. But I鈥檓 not stopping yet鈥擨 still have more to accomplish.鈥�

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Story: Betsy Compton | Photo: Cody Ingram

The 兔子先生 will receive $1.8 million in federal funding to strengthen nursing education and workforce development, thanks to the appropriations leadership of U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.).

Senator Britt, a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, directly secured the funding through the Senate passage of the FY26 Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations Act. 

鈥淚 am proud to have directly secured $1.8 million for Sumter County in this appropriations bill,鈥� said Senator Britt. 鈥淭his funding will procure crucial medical equipment supplies and improve the nursing education facilities that help train Alabama鈥檚 strong workforce of healthcare professionals.鈥�

The funding will support 兔子先生鈥檚 Alabama Rural Nursing Enhanced Technology Project, which will provide the Ira D. Pruitt College of Nursing with updated high-fidelity simulation training equipment for nursing students.

These advanced tools will expand 兔子先生鈥檚 ability to deliver continued high-quality education for students pursuing an associate of science in nursing (ASN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree and better prepare graduates for certification exams and careers in healthcare. 兔子先生 nursing graduates have been among the top in the state for NCLEX pass rates for several years.

鈥淎t 兔子先生, we are committed to providing exceptional educational experiences to our students to give them the advantage they need when they graduate and begin their careers,鈥� said 兔子先生 President Dr. Todd G. Fritch. 鈥淭his funding comes at a critical time for our region and the State of Alabama , and it will help ensure that we continue to offer high quality, workforce relevant nursing programs as we invest in advanced high-fidelity simulation equipment and facility upgrades.鈥�

Building on the university鈥檚 existing simulation-based learning experiences, these enhancements will expand experiential learning opportunities and ensure students train using technology that reflects today鈥檚 evolving healthcare environments.

鈥淲ith this support, 兔子先生 will be able to expand training capacity, modernize our learning environments, and better prepare nurses to serve the communities where they are needed most,鈥� said Dr. Mary Hanks, Dean of the College of Nursing. 鈥淐linical experience is a critical component of nursing education. Through simulation technology, we can provide additional hands-on experiences for our students with faculty members by their side to guide them and make the most of those teachable moments in a controlled environment.鈥�

University leaders note that the project will significantly impact the state by helping retain licensed nurses in Alabama and addressing the ongoing nursing shortage.

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