Northwestern State University of Louisiana

01/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/18/2025 14:07

Allen Parish students visit NSU Cenla campus to explore high demand healthcare careers

Jan. 17, 2025

ALEXANDRIA - Northwestern State University hosted about 100 Allen Parish high schoolers at the university's Cenla campus in Alexandria Friday for the first of the spring semester's Healthcare Academic and Career Exploration (ACE) event.

"NSU's Healthcare ACE project helps high school students to explore diverse career opportunities in healthcare," said Steve Gruesbeck, ACE executive director. "Our project is funded by a grant from The Rapides Foundation. Our team of college faculty from NSU and CLTCC engage with high school juniors and seniors to raise their awareness and preparation for high demand healthcare careers in central Louisiana."

McKinley Duncan and Ethan Wright, both juniors from Oberlin High School, learned how to take vital signs in a workshop lead by Healthcare ACE instructor Mignon Ater during the Healthcare ACE event hosted at Northwestern State University's Cenla campus in Alexandria.

Students also engaged with faculty to learn about dual enrollment classes that offer a head start towards healthcare workforce readiness, certification programs, associate and bachelor's degree programs, summer camps and year-round programs that raise awareness of academic and career opportunities in healthcare.

Four more Healthcare ACE events are planned for the spring semester. On Jan. 31, students from Rapides and Avoyelles Parish will convene at the same location.

NSU's Cenla campus offers a suite of support services and courses in both face-to-face and online platforms for students pursuing degrees through the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health as well as degrees in business, criminal justice, social work and general studies.

Information on Healthcare ACE is available at https://www.nsula.edu/healthcareace/. Gruesbeck can be reached at [email protected]. Information on NSU's CENLA campus is available at https://www.nsula.edu/CENLA/.