ISU expands health sciences to four colleges
Idaho State University will reorganize its Kasiska Division of Health Sciences (KDHS) to add three new colleges.
ISU Health Science Vice President Rex Force said the reorganization would help improve communication and organizational efficiencies within the division and across the University. “We wanted to pursue this reorganization because we’re interested in having the right kind of representation for our growing programs,” Force said. “For example, we have the most comprehensive training for nursing in the state, so becoming a college is a benefit to them.”
As part of the reorganization, the School of Nursing will now be called the College of Nursing. Anita Smith will replace Interim Dean Nacy Renn as the new Dean for the College beginning this August.
The current School of Health Professions and the Office of Medical and Oral Health will merge to become the College of Health Professions. Laura McKnight has been named Dean.
The existing School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences will be called the College of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences. Kathleen Kangas has been appointed Dean.
The fourth college in the division will be the College of Pharmacy. It will continue to operate under Dean Paul Cady. The college will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020.
Students in ISU’s health professions programs make up one-third of the student body. Many of the health sciences programs grow their enrollments each year.
KDHS formally requested the restructuring from the State Board of Education in January and received approval in May. The division offers more than 40 health profession degree options on campuses in Pocatello, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Meridian and Anchorage, Alaska.
