New College of Health and Human Services becomes reality

The new College of Health and Human Services, a combination of NAU's schools of Nursing and Health Professions, became official over the weekend.

"This new college creates extraordinary opportunities for Northern Arizona University," said NAU President John Haeger. "We are ready to become the institution for students who want a career in the health professions."

In April, the Arizona Board of Regents unanimously approved the organizational realignment that created the new college. ABOR also has committed funding to allow NAU to expand existing programs.

The newly approved state budget includes an additional $4 million the president requested to create new health professions programs in the state to combat shortages in several fields.

Haeger and Provost Liz Grobsmith proposed the new college in February to respond to the need for more health-care professionals in the state and to enhance the university's participation in the developing academic medical complex in downtown Phoenix.

NAU is in the midst of a search for individuals to serve as dean of the college and head of nursing.

NAU's web sites will reflect these changes in the coming weeks.