News From Across the System
News From Across the System
- Kansas Health Science University
- Pacific Oaks College
- Saybrook University
- The Chicago School
- The Colleges of Law
- The Community Solution
- University of Western States
Kansas Health Science University Granted Accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, Meeting Rigorous Quality Assurance Standards
The six-year accreditation recognizes the university's academic quality, governance, financial sustainability, and student support. Kansas Health Science University (KHSU) has been granted accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University…
KansasCOM Student Finds Perspective While Balancing Medical School and Motherhood
Kelsey Schmittling never planned to become a doctor. After years away from the classroom, she found her path to medicine while raising a family and preparing for a career in…
How KansasCOM Is Cultivating Clinical Judgment in the Age of AI
As artificial intelligence becomes a routine part of health care, KansasCOM faculty are rethinking how medical students learn to reason through uncertainty, evaluate information, and maintain meaningful patient relationships. In…
Opening Pathways to Sports Medicine at KansasCOM
From the College World Series to rural Kansas, students explore pathways into team-based care. Like many student-athletes, Nicole Terpack’s interest in sports medicine began with an injury. Hers kept her…
Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine to Celebrate Inaugural Graduating Class at Historic First Commencement
Kansas Health Science University (KHSU) will celebrate a major milestone this Saturday, May 9, when it hosts commencement for the inaugural class of its Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM).…
KansasCOM Students Bring Women’s Health Education to Juvenile Detention Facility
KansasCOM student doctors brought vital women’s health education to young residents at the Sedgwick County Juvenile Detention Facility, creating an open, judgment‑free space for questions. Through the Ark of Hope…
Endowment Opens Doors for Aspiring KansasCOM Physicians
Student experiences at KansasCOM show how deeply scholarship support can influence a future physician’s journey. Those stories set the stage for the new Carl M. and Ruth L. Coonrod Endowed…
Hands-On Medical Training in Kansas: How KansasCOM Prepares Future Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine
Explore KansasCOM’s DO program: hands-on clinical rotations in rural and urban settings preparing future osteopathic physicians for real-world practice. Underserved communities face limited access to health care, where routine appointments…
5 Reasons Students Fall in Love With Wichita
Living in Wichita as a medical student at KHSU offers affordability, community connection, and balance throughout your DO journey. Choosing a medical school means choosing where you will live, grow,…
How KansasCOM Students Prepare for the COMLEX: Study Habits, Support, and Strategy
Learn how KansasCOM students prepare for the COMLEX through structured study plans, faculty support, full-length practice exams, and wellness resources. For students pursuing a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree,…
Social Work Student Turns Personal Loss Into a Career Helping Others
For Claudia Contreras, a student in the Bachelor of Social Work at Pacific Oaks College, the path to an undergraduate degree has not been an easy one. She first enrolled…
Pacific Oaks College to Host 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium
Pacific Oaks College will celebrate the graduation of 421 students at its annual commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. PT on Saturday, May 16, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The ceremony…
How Pacific Oaks Prepares Early Childhood Educators to Support the Whole Child
Educators frequently emphasize the importance of “seeing the whole child.” In practice, this means looking beyond academics to understand children’s emotional development and the influence of family and community experiences.…
How Trauma-Informed Social Workers Help Communities Heal: 6 Ways You Can Make an Impact
Communities across the country continue to recover from deep challenges, including family instability and housing insecurity, as well as ongoing mental health effects from the pandemic. In the midst of…
Pacific Oaks Partners With Save the Children and Mattel to Deliver Toys to Area Child Care Center
When fires raced through the communities of Pasadena and Altadena, California, on Jan. 7, 2025, destroying or damaging thousands of homes and businesses, 34 child care facilities were destroyed and…
Empowering First-Generation and Nontraditional Master of Social Work Students at Pacific Oaks College
Grounded in social justice values, Pacific Oaks welcomes students who bring rich lived experiences into the classroom. First-generation and nontraditional learners often work to balance their careers and personal responsibilities,…
Balancing Life, Work, and Doctoral Study: Inside Our Ed.D. Program
For many educators, earning a doctorate is often postponed due to career, family, and other responsibilities. That’s why the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program at Pacific Oaks College was designed…
Pacific Oaks College and Los Angeles County Office of Education Launch 3-Year Partnership to Strengthen Early Childhood Educator Pipeline
In response to Los Angeles County’s growing need for qualified early childhood educators and transitional kindergarten (TK) teachers, Pacific Oaks College and the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE)…
Top Challenges Social Workers Face, And How Pacific Oaks College Prepares You to Overcome Them
Discover the biggest challenges social workers face, and how Pacific Oaks College equips you to overcome them. The post Top Challenges Social Workers Face, And How Pacific Oaks College Prepares…
Parents Are Partners: Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Early Childhood Education
By Matt Alderton Like bicycles losing air from their tires, schools in the United States are losing students from their classrooms with an audible hiss. Public school enrollment fell from…
How Mind-Body Medicine Inspired One Student’s Career in Maternal Health
A doctoral student shares how personal loss led her to Mind-Body Medicine and a career advancing whole-person maternal and perinatal healthcare. Tamara Thrasher is a doctoral student in Saybrook University’s…
Saybrook University to Celebrate 2026Â Commencement
Graduates represent a range of degree programs, poised to make a positive impact in their respective fields. Saybrook University will celebrate the graduation of its class of 2026 on Thursday,…
Top Integrative Health Careers You Can Pursue With a Graduate Degree
Saybrook University graduate programs prepare students for health and wellness jobs that blend science, mindfulness, and whole-person care. In a world that tends to separate physical and mental health, a…
What Is Consciousness Studies? Inside Saybrook University’s Degree Specialization
What is a consciousness studies degree? Saybrook University’s CSIH specialization integrates psychology, spirituality, and research-based learning. The post What Is Consciousness Studies? Inside Saybrook University’s Degree Specialization appeared first on…
Saybrook University Announces New Articulation Agreement With the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy
IFNA students can advance into Saybrook graduate programs with a streamlined admissions pathway and limited transfer credit toward select degrees. Saybrook University is proud to announce a new academic partnership…
How Consciousness Studies Helps Navigate Uncertainty and Collective Trauma
An interdisciplinary lens on uncertainty shows how expanding awareness, compassion, and creativity can turn shared crisis toward collective healing. The post How Consciousness Studies Helps Navigate Uncertainty and Collective Trauma…
The Power of Functional Fitness: How Everyday People Build Strength That Lasts
For many adults, exercise can feel overwhelming or out of reach. But functional fitness often begins with practical, daily choices: steady breath, simple movement, and nourishment that supports energy throughout…
From Reform to Resurgence: A Case Study of the NYPD’s Stop-and-Frisk Policy Under Changing Mayoral Administrations (1994-2024)
A 30-year study finds stop-and-frisk reforms cut stops but not racial bias, warning new surveillance tools extend the same logic. The post From Reform to Resurgence: A Case Study of…
What Can You Do With a Humanistic Psychology Degree? Career Paths and Outcomes
Discover career paths in counseling, education, leadership, and research with a humanistic psychology degree from Saybrook University. The post What Can You Do With a Humanistic Psychology Degree? Career Paths…
Human-Centered Integrative Medicine Education in a Tech-Driven World
Explore Saybrook University’s integrative medicine education focused on compassionate health care, mindfulness in health care, and whole-person healing. Technology is changing how people access health care, therapy, and wellness services.…
The Chicago School Announces Opening of the Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine (IllinoisCOM)
The Chicago School today welcomed its first cohort of students to the Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine (IllinoisCOM), Chicago’s first new medical school in nearly a century. IllinoisCOM will educate…
How IllinoisCOM’s First Classes Will Help Build the New Medical School’s Legacy
When the first cohort of students at the Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine (IllinoisCOM) begins classes in 2026, they won’t simply be starting medical school; they’ll be helping shape a…
Shaping the Future of Integrated Health: Adrianne Strachan on Military Service, Psychology, and Whole-Person Care
During Women’s History Month in March, I published an article about how women are paving the way in integrated health. The article featured small excerpts from interviews with three brilliant…
Shaping the Future of Integrated Health: Dr. Alisha DeWalt on Preparing the Next Generation of Changemakers
During Women’s History Month, I published an article about how women are paving the way in integrated health. The article featured small excerpts from interviews with three brilliant women: Adrianne…
Shaping the Future of Integrated Health: Dr. Monica Kinde on Training Compassionate Physicians
During Women History Month, I published an article about how women are paving the way in integrated health. The article featured small excerpts from interviews with three brilliant women: Adrianne…
Ed. Tech Hour Episode 47: Dr. Diedra Price
In this episode of Ed Tech Hour, author, poet, publisher, and founder of Words Eclectic Publishing Diedra Price, Ed.D., talks about her upcoming book, Sugar Uncoated A to Z.…
Why the Illinois Justice System Needs Forensic Psychologists
Illinois’s justice system is being asked to answer questions that often begin long before someone enters a courtroom. Many people who enter the system are carrying untreated mental health concerns…
The Chicago School to Host 2026 Chicago Campus Commencement Ceremonies at the Rosemont Theatre
The Chicago School will host its 2026 Chicago Campus commencement ceremonies on June 26, 2026, at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, Illinois. The ceremonies will celebrate 467 graduates prepared for…
The Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine at The Chicago School Awarded AACOM Grant to Advance Graduate Medical Education in Underserved Communities
The Chicago School announced that its Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine (IllinoisCOM) has been awarded an American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Innovations in Graduate Medical Education Development…
How Graduate Psychology Programs Are Helping Address Illinois’ Behavioral Health Crisis
Across Illinois, the need for behavioral health care continues to grow while many communities are still building the workforce capacity to provide residents with timely, comprehensive care. People seeking care…
Annual Mental Health Awareness Conference Highlights the Risks of Loneliness
On May 16, the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education at The Chicago School (NRCI) convened its 24th Annual Community Mental Health Conference at Evanston Township High School.…
Why Demand for Marriage and Family Therapists Is Growing
Mental health care increasingly recognizes that emotional well-being is shaped by relationships, social environments, and broader systems, not just individual experience. Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are trained to understand…
Webinar Spotlights Practical Strategies for AI Use in the Classroom
“Keeping Learning Human While Using AI,” the fourth and final installment of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies’ webinar series, “AI Community Conversations,” featured examples of strategies for using…
The Chicago School Opens New West Loop Campus: A Modern, Student-Centered Learning Environment
Located in the West Loop at 400 S. Jefferson St., The Chicago School’s new campus reflects a broader shift in how learning environments are designed. Rather than treating classrooms, services,…
Ed Tech Hour Episode 46: Dr. Nadia Iftekhar
In this episode of the “Ed Tech Hour” podcast from The Chicago School, Nadia Iftekhar, Ed.D., discusses the connection between educational technology and teacher burnout. Drawing from her experience as…
Leading in the Mental Health Economy: A Call to Action
Mental health is no longer a personal issue separate from organizational performance—it is a defining factor in how institutions operate, compete, and sustain their missions. That is the foundation of…
Online Counseling Students Attend Residencies to Demonstrate Skills and Connect With Peers
When Caitlyn Thomas, a first-year student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Online program at The Chicago School, flew from her home in Ohio to Washington, D.C., for a…
Advancing Healthcare Innovation and Excellence Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The U.S. healthcare system is experiencing significant transformation driven by rising rates of chronic disease, escalating mental health needs, and the shift toward value-based care. These pressures highlight longstanding fragmentation…
Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education to Host Annual Conference Addressing the Growing Crisis of Loneliness
The Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education at The Chicago School (NRCI), a leading Chicago-area organization that promotes mental health education and suicide prevention programs, announces its 24th…
How Applied Clinical Psychology Training Expands Mental Health Access in Southern California
Applied clinical psychologists are helping expand access to mental health care in Southern California by providing culturally responsive, evidence-based treatment in underserved communities and community health settings. Across Southern California,…
We the People, Explained—Some Thoughts About the US Constitution on America’s 250th Birthday
As America marks its 250th birthday, a Colleges of Law professor examines how the Constitution’s framers designed a government to balance freedom, conflict, and compromise. BY ERIC LANE The Constitution…
Inside Higher Ed Highlights The Colleges of Law’s Innovative Approach to Bar Exam Preparation
The Student Success and Bar Preparation program is built for the realities of nontraditional students instead of expecting them to conform to a traditional bar prep model. Inside Higher Ed…
We the People, Explained: A Love Letter to Law School in America’s 250th Year
As America marks its 250th year, Dean Brandy Price reflects on the education that transformed her understanding of the Constitution, citizenship, and the enduring responsibility to defend the rule of…
We the People, Explained: The River Still Moves — America at 250
As America nears its 250th birthday, a journey along the Civil Rights Trail becomes a meditation on memory, history, and the currents that still shape the nation. BY BRANDY PRICE…
How Is AI Changing Compliance in Law?
Artificial intelligence is changing compliance by enabling real-time monitoring, predictive risk assessment, and automated regulatory analysis. For legal professionals, this means shifting from manual oversight to strategic governance of AI-driven…
How a Hybrid J.D. Program Prepares Lawyers for Modern Legal Practice
A hybrid J.D. program combines flexible online learning, hands-on legal training, and responsible AI use to prepare today’s law students. Technology is changing how work gets done, and both clients…
What Does a Hybrid J.D. Program Teach? A Faculty Perspective on Real-World Legal Training
Learn how a hybrid J.D. program builds practical legal skills through mentorship, research training, and real-world application. Request information today From the very beginning of their careers, lawyers must be…
Dean Erwin Chemerinsky to Deliver Commencement Address and Receive Honorary Doctor of Laws at The Colleges of Law’s 2026 Graduation Ceremony
A leading constitutional scholar joins graduates at a milestone moment shaped by academic rigor, access, and a commitment to community impact. The Colleges of Law today announced that Erwin Chemerinsky,…
Student Success Hosts Mentor Coffee Events and Real Time Workshops
The department’s events connected students with advisors and mentors for guided practice and meaningful engagement. The Student Success and Bar Preparation Department shares the following update. This spring, the department…
We the People, Explained: The Birthday Piece
This article, written by a student at The Colleges of Law, reflects on 250 years of America’s promises, progress, and the people who shaped them. Note: This article’s student author…
Faculty Spotlight: Douglas Reeve
Douglas Reeve blends teaching and law, guiding students to build strong foundations and see their future in the legal profession. BY ISABEL NELSON Douglas Reeve, an instructor at The Colleges…
We the People, Explained: Law on America’s 250th Birthday
Law students explore liberty, equality, and justice, examining how the nation’s founding ideals are interpreted and challenged today. BY BRANDY PRICE In 1776, a fledgling nation declared its independence and…
How Faculty Support Hybrid J.D. Students in California From Orientation to Bar Prep
Discover seven ways faculty mentors support Hybrid J.D. students in California, from orientation and academics to wellness, career guidance, and bar prep. Hybrid J.D. students come to law school with…
How Dean Brandy Price Turned a Life of Teaching Into a Mission to Transform Legal Education
Brandy Price’s journey from teacher to dean shows how a commitment to access, representation, and community shaped her leadership at The Colleges of Law. BY ISABEL NELSON The Colleges of…
Freedom Isn’t Free: Why Democracy Demands an Informed and Engaged Citizenry
As the nation nears its 250th anniversary, democracy depends on citizens who understand constitutional rights, limits, and civic responsibilities. By JIAE MOON, J.D., CONSTITUTIONAL LAW PROFESSOR With the 250th anniversary…
Faculty Spotlight: Justin Tuttle
Adjunct professor Justin Tuttle honors his family’s legal roots but redefines what that legacy means. BY REBECCA KOCH For most families, a fifth generation following in the same profession would…
The Rise of the Compliance Professional: How to Upskill for High-Demand Compliance Careers
Advance your compliance career with The Colleges of Law’s MBLT degree, where business, law, and technology prepare tomorrow’s risk leaders. BY COURTNEY COX Compliance careers are expanding fast as organizations…
The Colleges of Law Names Brandy Price as Dean and Chief Academic Officer
BY THE COLLEGES OF LAW The Colleges of Law, credited with launching California’s first accredited Hybrid J.D. program, announced the appointment of Brandy Price, J.D., as its new Dean and…
Turning a Law Degree Into Impact: Legal Careers That Serve the Underserved
Explore legal careers that serve the underserved. The Colleges of Law prepares students to advocate for justice and equity through public interest law. Too often, the people who need…
Important Update on 2025 February Bar
California extends Provisional Licensure Program for Feb 2025 bar takers, allowing supervised practice while awaiting admission. BY THE COLLEGES OF LAW The State Bar of California has announced an important…
Two-Way Learning: The Superpower Higher Ed Overlooks
Higher education has long prized individual expertise. Scholars master their fields, faculty are rewarded for their own research, and institutions often assume their job is to pour knowledge into students…
The Chicago School Announces Opening of the Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine (IllinoisCOM)
Chicago’s First New Medical School in Nearly 100 Years Welcomes Inaugural Class of 91 Medical Students to Campus for Orientation Week and White Coat Ceremony The Chicago School today welcomed…
Kansas Health Science University Granted Accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, Meeting Rigorous Quality Assurance Standards
Kansas Health Science University (KHSU) has been granted accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a significant milestone in the school’s mission to produce forward-thinking, empathetic healthcare…
The Case Against Higher Education’s Obsession with Selectivity
American higher education has long equated quality with exclusivity, treating the number of students an institution rejects as a measure of its worth. That logic puts enormous pressure on the…
Why Basic Needs Are the Next Frontier in Student Success
Higher education measures success in grades, credits, and completion rates. What those metrics rarely capture is what gets in the way: a broken-down car, a missed bus, a laptop the…
How Four Catholic Universities Built a New Kind of Alliance
Higher education is often framed as a competition for students, rankings, and resources. But as financial pressures grow and the challenges facing colleges become more complex, some institutions are exploring…
What Real Industry-Integrated Education Looks Like
The disconnect between higher education and the workforce is widely acknowledged but rarely addressed at the institutional level. Most universities respond by adding internships, expanding career services, or launching new…
The Real Formula for Collaboration That Works
Radical cooperation is the key to building stronger, more resilient institutions—and in this episode, you’ll learn exactly how it works. Radical cooperation isn’t just a concept; it’s a practical framework…
How Collaboration is Unlocking New Opportunities
What is radical cooperation, and why is it becoming a powerful solution in higher education? In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Horowitz and Associate Director of Communications for The…
Public Trust, Media Narratives, and the Future of Higher Ed
Higher education leadership is under more pressure than ever—and in this episode, we explore how media narratives are shaping public trust in the sector. Today’s leaders must navigate misinformation, political…
What Is Systems-Level Occupational Therapy? How UWS Prepares Future Leaders
What do food deserts, state licensing boards, and occupational therapy have in common? More than many future practitioners realize. Occupational therapists have long played a critical role in assisting patients…
Serving the Underserved: Chiropractic Careers in Rural Healthcare
Learn how chiropractic physicians improve access to care in rural communities and how UWS prepares students for community-based practice. For many in rural communities, access to care defines how health…
University of Western States to Celebrate Class of 2026
The ceremony will honor the next generation of healthcare practitioners trained in evidence-based, whole-person care. University of Western States will host its 2026 commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. PDT on…
How Chiropractors Contribute to Integrated and Collaborative Health Teams
Learn how chiropractors support integrated healthcare teams and improve outcomes. Explore the UWS Doctor of Chiropractic program. As patient needs grow more complex, it’s increasingly difficult for any one provider…
How to Become a Chiropractor: Education, Licensure, and Career Paths
Becoming a chiropractor requires a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, passing board exams, and state licensure. Learn about career options. Patients are taking a more active role in their healthcare, seeking…
6 Ways Occupational Therapists Support Mental and Emotional Wellness
Mental and emotional well-being shapes how people get through everyday life. When it’s out of balance, even simple tasks feel overwhelming. That’s where occupational therapy (OT) makes a measurable difference.…
How UWS Trains Future Naturopathic Doctors for Community Impact
Explore naturopathic medicine training at University of Western States, including hands-on labs, early clinical experience, and community-focused care. At University of Western States (UWS), based in Portland, Oregon, learning how…
Training in the US, Leading in Canada: How UWS Equips Future Health Care Providers
Explore how Canadian students thrive in UWS chiropractic programs that meet U.S. and Canadian licensure, offering support, training, and global career prep. The post Training in the US, Leading in…
Chiropractic Student Brings Portland Lessons Home to Canada
UWS’ Community-Based Clinical Education program allows students to gain experience wherever they wish to practice. University of Western States has earned an international reputation and welcomes students from around the…
Letter From the President
Dear University of Western States Community, As I reflect on my first year as president of this remarkable institution, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the enduring…




