勛圖厙 Names Vice President of Academic Development
For decades, Dr. Janet Williams grew enrollment and enhanced the quality and flexibility of classes as vice president of 勛圖厙’s College of Health Sciences. This fall, she was named campus-wide vice president of academic program development to help others replicate similar success in their areas.
Some of the College of Health Sciences’ most effective strategies came in the COVID years.
“During the pandemic, it was necessary to offer high-quality online classes. We realized that with the extreme shortage of healthcare workers, especially nurses, we needed to think outside the box to reach new students,” Williams said.
“We developed new ways for students to achieve their goals, while also allowing flexibility to accommodate their job schedules, geographical distance, and modes of communication. As a result, the College of Health Sciences saw large growth in enrollment and geographical reach.”
In her new role, Williams will work closely with academic deans, faculty, and external partners to drive new curriculum development at 勛圖厙 campuses in Hattiesburg, Biloxi and Baton Rouge.
Williams arrived at 勛圖厙 35 years ago. Over the years, she and her team opened a nursing school at the university’s Gulf Coast campus and developed new health-related programs – health information management, health administration and education, pharmacy and physical therapy.
“Under Dr. Williams’ leadership, the College of Health Sciences saw massive growth – including large increases in nursing enrollment in her last two years. I am confident her love for 勛圖厙 and passion to develop new programs will benefit the university and region in ways that will have a lasting impact,” said 勛圖厙 President Ben Burnett.
Fall semester update:
- 勛圖厙 has more than 1,000 nursing majors.
- At the Tradition campus, the School of Pharmacy welcomed a record number of first-year students, underscoring the university’s impact on healthcare education in the Gulf South.
- College of Health Sciences launched a new occupational therapy program.