Winston-Salem State University News February 9, 2016 Agreement Seeks to Increase Diversity in Health Sciences A new agreement between Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) and Bennett College - both historically black institutions - is designed to help improve diversity in health care fields in North Carolina. The graduate programs included in the agreement include health care administration, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation counseling, and the accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing. While Bennett College does not have programs in these fields, the private institution does offer majors in biology, chemistry, psychology, and social work - undergraduate degrees that offer a great fit for continued graduate work in health sciences. The agreement will offer up to three slots per program to Bennett students who meet the admissions criteria for enrolling in WSSU's health science programs. Bennett and WSSU will work collaboratively in recruiting and enrolling high performing students in the health science programs. "The goal of the agreement is to increase the number of African-American and other underrepresented minority groups in WSSU's health sciences programs," said Peggy Valentine, dean of the School of Health Sciences at WSSU. "Both institutions are committed to transformative academic experiences for graduate and professional programs and to promoting diversity in the health professions in North Carolina and nationally." In North Carolina, only 10 percent of health care professionals are racial or ethnic minorities, although 30 percent of the state's population is non-white. As part of its strategic plan for 2016-2021, WSSU will work toward correcting the imbalance. "Winston-Salem State University is a leader in producing health sciences graduates who come from underrepresented groups; however, we believe we can do better," said Valentine, who noted that about 50 percent of the students currently enrolled in the university's health sciences programs are racial or ethnic minorities. "This program will not only increase the diversity of our student body, but also offer Bennett College students more opportunities to pursue the careers they desire." Bennett College students graduating in May will be the first to benefit from the agreement. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-592-4820 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.