SCU awarded $77,814 from HHS

July 24, 2011 — Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is a recipient of a federal grant awarded to support Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students.

SCU was one of 37 institutions chosen to receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged students representing underserved communities. SCU will begin offering scholarships to assist identified students for the fall 2011 term.

SCU recognizes the importance of aiding students from disadvantaged and minority communities. SCU has specific recruitment and assistance programs now in place, in addition to the established scholarships solely for students of those demographics. Diversity at SCU is a core value, therefore, we strive to not only attract ethnic minority and disadvantaged students to health careers in chiropractic, but also work to facilitate their successful completion of the first professional degree in chiropractic. 

“With this award we can further accomplish our mission and support students who may otherwise not have the opportunity to complete a first professional degree,” remarked Dr. Melea Fields, chief research officer and dean of the Office of Supported and Institutional Research (OSIR) at SCU. 

Mr. Miguel Valenzuela, research specialist for OSIR at SCU commented, “I believe this grant is the start of a great change in providing underserved and underprivileged students access to SCU. Allowing for a broader range of students at our institution will further grow the chiropractic profession as a whole, and increase the understanding of different health issues in various communities. This is just the start of great things to come in making the health professions more accessible to these types of students in the future.”

Ms. Debra Mitchell, associate vice president of enrollment management at SCU added, “SCU recognizes the importance of offering these types of opportunities to this demographic.  As history has shown these individuals many times will return to their communities as healthcare providers once their education is completed.  As healthcare providers become mentors for younger people in their areas, perhaps more young people will choose healthcare professions.”

Source: Southern California University of Health Sciences, www.scuhs.edu