'Advancing Healthcare Pathways': Concordia-Chicago receives $3M federal grant to support students pursuing health sciences vocations

Effective Oct. 1, Concordia University Chicago launched a major project titled "Advancing Healthcare Pathways" after receiving a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Strengthening Institutions Program.

The discretionary grant is awarded to eligible private or public higher education institutions to strengthen academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability-with funding distributed annually over the course of five years.

Through the grant, the University aims to increase access to its healthcare programs, improve student success outcomes, and prepare students for career placement and postgraduate study in high-demand healthcare fields. It will do so by expanding existing resources, creating new programming, modernizing laboratory facilities, and increasing staffing.

This award also marks a historic milestone for CUC.

"This grant-one of the largest in University history-is a testament to Concordia-Chicago's steadfast commitment to preparing students to serve in all kinds of vocations," said University President Dr. Russell P. Dawn. "By expanding our capacity to educate and guide these students, we equip the next generation of healthcare leaders to care for their neighbors with compassionate, Christ-centered excellence."

Programs benefiting from the grant include nursing, biology, health science, exercise science, and kinesiology.

"We are extremely grateful," said Dr. Suzanne Walsh, dean of the College of Health, Science & Technology (CHST). "This will strengthen the College's academic programs, enhance student support services, modernize instructional laboratories, and expand workforce preparation for students preparing for healthcare-related pathways."

Dr. Robert Balza, vice president for academic affairs, added that while the grant will help advance the programs that turn students into skilled healthcare professionals, the University also hopes to nurture a deeper sense of calling.

Balza explained, "We are after more than competence. We serve God by caring for our neighbors, and CUC is forming a healthcare workforce rooted in Christian ethics-an endeavor worth celebrating."

Three pillars, one plan

First-year funding will focus on hiring personnel, establishing operational procedures, expanding partnerships, launching key student support services, and acquiring instructional resources-with major student-facing activities rolling out early in the project period. Subsequent years will focus on optimizing these initiatives.

The project is organized around three strategic pillars: access, success, and completion.

The access initiative will improve college readiness and reduce barriers to enrollment. Key activities include increased recruitment efforts and transfer pathways for external students, implementation of a new comprehensive financial literacy and FAFSA outreach campaign, and the creation of a Healthcare Summer Bridge program to ease the transition process for first-year students.

Within the success initiative, the University will bolster student persistence and academic achievement by hiring an academic success coach and a dedicated Bachelor of Science in Nursing tutor. The efforts will also include expanding services in peer tutoring, supporting faculty-led supplemental instruction, and hiring student laboratory assistants. Funding will go toward updated science laboratory equipment and instructional technology as well.

The completion initiative will focus on strengthening student career readiness and post-graduation placement through investments in Career Services, including extended programming and enhanced internship, clinical placement, and graduate school advising assistance. It also includes ensuring access to workforce preparation resources and technology platforms like Mometrix and Handshake.

Together, these three pillars establish a network of support for current and prospective students as they navigate the different stages of their college careers.

"The ability to offer additional resources is a tremendous blessing to our students," said Kathy Gebhardt (BA '96), vice president for student success and dean of students. "We look forward to implementing these new services-which have the potential to serve our students extremely well, improve student outcomes, and help our students achieve their goals."

Advancing the University's strategic vision

Moving forward, the project will take place alongside Concordia University Chicago's larger strategic plan, which prioritizes academic excellence, a Christ-centered student experience, and the faithful stewardship of our community for years to come.

"This grant arrives at a defining moment for Concordia-Chicago as we launch a new strategic plan that includes a focus on educating the next generation of nurses and health sciences professionals," said Dr. Jamie Kowalczyk, vice president for strategic operations and chief of staff.

As the "Advancing Healthcare Pathways" plan begins, the University is already coordinating efforts across academic affairs, student success, and the CHST to expand access to sought-after programs, equip students for long-lasting success, and prepare graduates to serve their communities.

Altogether, the University hopes to build a lasting system of support to strengthen the foundation of these programs and the students they serve.

Kowalczyk explained, "We do not receive this grant for ourselves alone; we receive it as a charge to build capacity, open doors, and serve our neighbors through the healing professions our communities so deeply need."