Pepperdine is exploring the possibility of creating a school of health sciences, Provost Jay Brewster wrote in a June 16 email to the Pepperdine community. This exploration has resulted in administrational changes for Pepperdine — Seaver Dean Michael Feltner has taken a leave of absence to lead the academic portion of the exploration as of Aug.1, and Vice Provost Lee Kats is interim dean for the 2023-24 academic year.
Brewster said Pepperdine has not launched a new school since the School of Public Policy in 1997. In 2019, Pepperdine’s 2030 strategic plan mentioned the development of academic programs. While Pepperdine is still in the early stages of exploring the possibility, Brewster said it was clear to leaders that Feltner possessed the “skill set” needed to lead the exploration.
“I can’t think of a better way to expand the University’s mission in the world, by preparing students to go into healthcare industries, to enhance their lives and return people to full health, full function and activities of daily living,” Feltner said. “It is such a great way to honor and recognize our mission.”
Brewster said allied health sciences is a growing professional field, and the University has seen interest from students on a graduate and undergraduate level. It is also a “missional area.”
“It’s a place where you can serve others,” Brewster said. “You can have an impact on your local community in an industry that is just so vital to our everyday life to care for those who are ill, who are suffering, and that excites us.”
Examining Options
President Jim Gash said discussion about a possible school of health sciences took place under former president Andrew K. Benton. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gash said Pepperdine saw the need for healthcare workers, and as Pepperdine returned to pre-pandemic operations, he commissioned a task force.
“It would be an incredible opportunity for Pepperdine to provide students with the opportunity to go directly into the healthcare industry, to serve the country and to serve the world in times of shortage in that area, and in a time of great need for the world of which we were reminded during the pandemic,” Gash said.
Members of Pepperdine’s leadership, including Kats, have done some preliminary work so far, Brewster said — talking with local universities, hospitals and national institutions — but no final decisions have been made.
“We have decided that we are going to do a a deep and close evaluation as to whether that would be the right thing for Pepperdine,” Gash said.
The Board of Regents, Brewster said, has been supportive of the opportunity. Feltner said the Board and other University leaders will make the final decision.
Gash said majority of the exploration may not be public facing. While the University may submit a letter of intent to begin the accreditation process, it does not mean a decision has been set in stone.
The degrees Pepperdine will be exploring, Brewster said, are restorative health degrees — such as occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech pathology — and an undergraduate nursing degree. However, the University has it’s “arms open.”
“We’re being very careful not to say anything is off the table, or something is a done deal,” Brewster said.
Factors the University needs to consider, Brewster said, include student interest, partnerships with local entities such as hospitals, academic structure, working with accreditation agencies, what facilities are needed and opportunities to fund costs.
“If we head that way, we open up Pepperdine to a whole new suite of students, a whole new cohort of students who maybe never had us on their map before,” Kats said. “And that’s exciting as well.”
Gash said Pepperdine has many graduates who end up going into the healthcare industry — at schools other than Pepperdine.
Administration Changes
Gary Hanson, senior executive vice president, wrote in a June 19 email to the Graphic his role is to both lead the operational and business side of the exploration, and if Pepperdine decides to create a school, to produce a “realistic and effective business plan.”
“This is a very exciting possibility, and I look forward to exploring the associated student opportunities, revenue, community service and elevation of our academic reputation as this inquiry moves forward,” Hanson wrote.
Feltner said while the exact specifics of what his role as dean of academic initiatives will entail are still unknown, he and Hanson will determine the “feasibility” of different academic programs at Pepperdine. From there, they will recommend a course of action to senior leadership.
Hanson, Gash said, “is the exact right person” for the job, citing his experience in opening Switzerlands’ new campus.
Feltner said he has been dean of Seaver College for nine years, and will continue in this role through July.
“While I love everything about Seaver College, and still find it humbling to be the Dean, I was noticing, particularly in the last year, the demands of this position were to weigh upon me,” Feltner said. “And I needed a break, I needed a respite from the demands of this position.”
At the same time, Feltner said University leadership offered him the opportunity to co-lead the exploration. With academic roots in sports medicine and experience in medical-related careers, Feltner said the position was “too exciting” to “pass up.”
Faculty in the Seaver Dean’s office and the academic divisional deans will remain in their positions, Feltner said. He and Kats have already begun meeting to go over the transition process, which will take place Aug. 1.
“I just so admire what has been happening in Seaver College,” Kats said. “And so I realize that my role is just temporary. But it is in part to keep the momentum going.”
During the transition, Feltner said students should expect business as usual. Kats, Feltner said, has 30-plus years of experience at Seaver College and was associate dean at Seaver for close to a decade, and has been in a provost role for over a decade.
“He continues to be one of the best teacher scholars that we have at Seaver College,” Feltner said. “His care and love of Seaver is equal, if not greater than mine, and so I am fully expecting Lee [Kats] to come into the role and flourish.”
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