GCC pursues new Health Studies associate degree
Press Release, GCC
BATAVIA – With the healthcare industry ever-changing and many healthcare professions in high demand, Genesee Community College recognizes a substantial opportunity for students enrolled in the GCC’s Health Studies Certificate program to continue their education to earn a Health Studies Associate in Science degree, and potentially transfer for a bachelor’s or higher degree.
Upon hearing a full report by Dr. Kathleen M. Schiefen, GCC’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, the college’s Board of Trustees approved the next step in the development of a new associate degree in Health Studies, which would readily transfer to other colleges and universities for a degree in healthcare administration.
Dr. Schiefen explained the multi-phase process of introducing a new degree, which generally starts in GCC’s Academic Senate for a complete career and industry discovery effort and also the related curriculum development.
The proposal is then carefully reviewed by the college’s provost and president before being reviewed by the College’s Trustees. With Trustee approval, the proposal is then sent to both the State University of New York for a SUNY-wide peer and public review period, and once successfully vetted by SUNY, it is then sent to New York State Education Department for the final review and approval. If each step of the process meets with successive approvals, it is possible the new program might be available by Fall 2019 or early in 2020.
“This new program aligns with SUNY Brockport’s Health Care Administration Bachelor’s program, and also Buffalo State College’s Health and Wellness Bachelor’s program among others,” Dr. Schiefen noted. “It is an excellent health care transfer pathway.”
In other business Monday evening, the Board of Trustees:
• Approved the renewal of four-year continuing appointments for 15 members of the College’s faculty and staff: Charmayne Bloom, Campus Center Associate; Carolyn Caccamise, Director / Associate Professor of Veterinary Technology; Rebecca Dziekan, Director / Professor of HED & PED Studies; Karlyn Backus, ACE Programs Specialist; Tracy Ford, Associate Professor of English; Dr. Karen Huffman, Associate Professor of Biology; Thomas Kinsey, Reporting Analyst; Kenneth Mead, Professor of Math & Computer Information Systems; Tracy Merritt, Assessment Associate; Ebony Ross, Admissions Advisor; Skip Sherman, Student Athletic Assistant; Daniel Snyder, ACE Programs Specialist; Garth Swanson, Professor of History; Candice Vacin, Professor of Psychology; and Michael Von Schiller, Assistant Professor of Health & Physical Education.
• Approved initial four-year continuing appointments for six members of the faculty and staff: James Donsbach, Director of Grant Services; John Maloney, Marketing Communications Specialist; Brendan McCabe, Instructor of Biology; Melissa Miller, Nursing Lab Coordinator; Gregory Sharpe, Instructor of Food Processing Technology; and JoNelle Toriseva, Director / Associate Professor of English.
