JCU College of Health Newsletter - March 2025: Shaping the Future of Health & Wellness Education

As spring brings renewal and growth, our College of Health is blossoming with significant advancements. I'm excited to share that our Nursing program is one step closer to accreditation after a successful site visit this March. This marks a pivotal milestone in our ongoing commitment to excellence and paves the way for future innovation.

A heartfelt thank you to all the faculty, staff, and students who participated and contributed to the success of the visit. Your dedication and teamwork were instrumental in showcasing the strength and quality of our program.

Additionally, I invite you to check out our new Brand Video below that explores just a few of the reasons why what we're continuing to build here is so special. Thank you for being part of our transformative journey. Let's keep pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together.

Warm regards,
Melissa Cole
Dean, College of Health

Brand Video Thumbnail

Program Spotlight
Graduate Counseling Pathways

As we continue to grow and innovate in healthcare education, our counseling programs remain at the forefront of preparing tomorrow's mental health professionals.

Graduate Counseling Programs

Our graduate level counseling programs allow students to tailor their counseling education by choosing a focus that aligns with their professional goals:

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Preparing licensed Professional Counselors through immersive training

MA

Master of Education in School Counseling

Training licensed School Counselors to support student development

MEd

Certificate in Substance Use Disorder Counseling

Specialized training for Chemical Dependency Counselor licensure

CERT

Online Mental Health Counseling Program Expands

To meet the rising demand for behavioral health professionals, John Carroll University has expanded its online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Since launching in 2022, the program has grown significantly, now offering a second cohort to accommodate increasing student interest.

100%

Job Placement Rate

CACREP

Accredited Program

The program's success is built on flexible scheduling, specialized training in Substance Use Disorder, and strong field placement opportunities, continuing John Carroll's tradition of producing highly sought-after mental health professionals.

Read Full Story

Student Spotlight

From undergraduate pre-med student to pursuing a master's in Applied Behavior Analysis, Roni Peleg's journey exemplifies how JCU's personalized approach and dedicated faculty support help shape future healthcare leaders.

Roni Peleg

I started out at JCU in 2019 for undergrad and stayed on for my Masters in ABA when my advisor told me about this new program he was kickstarting.

At the beginning when I told my professors that I was pre-med I was one of many, we all took the same classes with the same goals of getting the best grades possible and the best experiences we could. Now through my Master's, classroom examples and my fieldwork have been tailored to my personal interests and I've had nothing but support from the program faculty.

JCU helped set me on the track to medical school by providing the opportunities to further my knowledge and experiences as well as teaching me how to advocate for not only myself but also for my classmates similarly to how I will advocate for the best care of my patients when I'm a physician.

Roni Peleg '23 '25G

Applied Behavior Analysis

Future Physician & Healthcare Leader

2025 Day of Giving

Support the College of Health
During Our 2025 Day of Giving

Your generous support is essential to advancing our College of Health programs. By contributing today, you help empower the next generation of healthcare leaders.

JCU EMS

On this Day of Giving, inspire these students with a donation to JCU EMS. Your support provides EMT training scholarships, enables participation in annual conferences, and funds vital community initiatives.

College of Health, Anatomage Table

Invest in the future of healthcare education. The Anatomage Table offers high-accuracy virtual dissection with reusable content, providing long-term cost savings. Research shows it improves student retention and test scores, making it an excellent alternative to traditional methods.

Pre-Health Professions

Your gift will inspire the future of our pre-health students. Support access to vital resources including JCU test prep courses (MCAT, DCAT), examination fees, and pre-requisite courses not covered by financial aid. Thank you for helping shape tomorrow's healthcare leaders.

Together, we can drive innovation, education, and excellence in healthcare.

DONATE TODAY

Upcoming Events

APR
25

5:30 PM
7:30 PM

Global Smile Foundation - JCU Fundraiser Dinner

Help make dreams come true by bringing smiles to children born with cleft. All proceeds will fund life-changing comprehensive cleft care for underserved patients.

Location: Dolan Science Center Atrium and Auditorium
Contact: Reina Katergi ('26) at rkatergi26@jcu.edu

APR
25

1:00 PM
2:00 PM

Webinar - Ethics in Action: Preventing Negligence in School Counseling

Join Dr. Sarah Hope Ph.D. as she explores the challenges of recognizing and addressing negligence in school counseling, and provides strategies to ensure student well being.

Format: Virtual Webinar
Speaker: Dr. Sarah Hope, Ph.D.

APR
15

7:00 PM
9:00 PM

Pre-Health GUTS Competition

Inspired by the classic Nickelodeon™ show GUTS, teams of 4 will compete in physical and mental challenges designed by various pre-health student organizations. Participate in stations hosted by Pre-Medicine Society, EMS, Nursing Club, and more. Enjoy free food and compete for awesome prizes!

Location: Dolan Atrium and East Wing
Note: Open to All Majors & Class Years. Register solo or as a team of 4.

JCU EMS Training Initiative

JCU EMS is holding a large-scale drill with University Heights Fire Department and the Nursing Department on April 30th. the end of April. This drill will simulate a campus-wide disaster situation involving multiple organizations, giving us the opportunity to strengthen our coordination and practice in real-world scenarios.

Training Exercise Photo 1 Training Exercise Photo 2

Photos from previous JCU EMS, Nursing, and UHFD collaboration drill

Additionally, JCU EMS is expanding the organization with multiple people participating in the hybrid summer class as we continue to grow the department and support our community.

Research and Publications

Dr. Moore Published in The Family Journal

We are excited to announce the recent publication of Dr. Moore's article, Engaging African American Families: Suggestions to Improve Treatment Utilization for Opioid Use Disorders. This insightful work offers valuable recommendations aimed at enhancing treatment engagement among African American families affected by opioid use disorders.

Read Article
Dr. Moore

Faculty & Alumni Updates

Joe Micca, '10

Joe Micca, '10

A group of Exercise Science and Sports Leadership students spent their spring break volunteering at the Elite Football Rehab Conference in Indianapolis in March. They were also able to attend the NFL Combine and meet with Joe Micca, '10, who is currently the Physical Therapist for the Buffalo Bills.

Carol Mack, DPT

Carol Mack, DPT co-presented a two-hour educational session at the American Physical Therapy Association's national meeting in Houston, titled "Beyond the Game: Perfectionism, Performance, and Gendered Challenges in Female Athlete Health and Rehabilitation."

Carol Mack, DPT

Past Events

MAR 25

UH Future Nurse Academy

The JCU Nursing Department partnered with UH to host 25+ high school students, providing hands-on experience with vital signs and clinical assessments.

Future Nurse Academy
MAR 20

Pre-Medicine Society Three Part Clinic

Students practiced essential medical skills including splinting, casting, suturing, and ultrasound techniques with alumni Dr. Queen and Dr. Harmat.

Pre-Med Clinic
MAR 14

Beta Chi Chapter Inducts 87 New Members

CSI honor society welcomed 87 new members, recognizing graduate counseling students for academic excellence and leadership.

Beta Chi Induction
MAR 21

Beta Chi Chapter Hosts Trauma Workshop

Expert presenters led a workshop on trauma-informed care, covering psychomotor psychotherapy and ethical considerations in clinical settings.

MAR 18

Alumni Author Series: Dr. Stacey Diane Arañez Litam '09

Dr. Litam '09 presented her book on healing for Asian children of immigrants, offering a practical framework through research and storytelling.

Mentor the Next Generation of Health Professionals

Do you work in healthcare or a healthcare-related field and are interested in mentoring current JCU College of Health Students? Please complete the survey form below to express your interest in providing networking, shadowing, or research opportunities for our students!

SUBMIT INTEREST FORM

We Value Your Feedback!

Help us make the College of Health newsletter a valuable resource by sharing your thoughts, suggestions, and stories. Let us know what topics interest you, how we can improve, or if you have an inspiring healthcare or education story to share.

Please send your input to coh@jcu.edu - we greatly appreciate your contributions!

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