CCSU to Establish College of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences

The Board of Regents (BOR) for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system has approved what is described as “an ambitious proposal” from Central Connecticut State University to establish a new College of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences.

Among those supporting the proposal, approved by the BOR approved the proposal at its Dec. 14 meeting, was Regent Erin Stewart, the mayor of New Britain, who publicly noted her support for the college.

“As a Central graduate and mayor of the host city of Central, it’s very exciting to see a unique approach like this in bringing this program to fruition and making this college a reality.”  Mayor Stewart pointed out that a city such as New Britain, which is home to two hospitals, can benefit from a “pipeline” of students with healthcare experience and credentials.

In its proposal to the BOR, university leadership listed several goals for the new college. Among them, the college aims to:

·         unite Central’s existing healthcare-related academic programs;

·         incorporate new programs in high-demand fields; and

·         embed experiential learning, cultural competency, and advocacy for healthcare within its curriculum.

The college also will enable its students to gain valuable professional experience through its associated student-run health education clinic in Copernicus Hall. On the CCSU campus. The clinic opened in October and provides free health care services to students and residents of Greater New Britain.

The College of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences will bring together the academic departments of Nursing, Social Work, Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Physical Education and Human Performance, and Counselor Education under the leadership of a new dean. A national search for the dean is underway.

“The new college provides the exciting opportunity to foster more and stronger collaborations between departments and programs and create innovative and interdisciplinary academic programs and professional certificates involving all the schools and colleges at Central,” said Central President Zulma R. Toro.

“Even better, the creation of this college provides the means to serve our community in new ways, all while providing excellent experiential learning opportunities for our students,” Toro added.

The university currently comprises five academic schools — the School of Business, the School of Engineering, Science, & Technology, the School of Graduate Studies, the School of Education & Professional Studies, and the Carol A. Ammon College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Central Connecticut State University is the largest university in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system. Founded in 1849, Central is also the state’s oldest publicly funded university.