SAN ANTONIO, TX-May 25, 2012--Galen College of Nursing is expanding its campus by more than one-third to meet increased student demand at the One Technology Center campus (OTC) and making extensive renovations and updates to the Brownwood campus in San Antonio. At OTC, located at 7411 John Smith, Suite 300, Galen, which previously leased 30,000 square feet, is taking over additional space on the eighth floor, adding 15,000 square feet to the campus. This space will provide areas, equipment, and resources to help students with learning as well as additional space for faculty needs.
One of the most notable additions on the campus will be the Nancy K. Maebius Student Success Center & Library. This center, on the eighth floor, is double the size of the current library and resource center. The Student Success Center will not only have computers for student use, but also the addition of quiet meeting rooms, individual testing rooms and a resource area where students can meet with their counselor or tutor. The center is named in honor of Nancy K. Maebius, Ph.D., MSN, BSN, R.N., a 40-year veteran of nursing practice and education, as well as a researcher and expert in the field. Maebius has been a consultant, educator and faculty member for Galen for more than 20 years.
“Dr. Maebius has been a champion for vocational nursing by authoring and co-authoring textbooks, writing study guides, offering one-on-one tutoring and actively and successfully advocating for vocational and registered nursing policy change,” said Dr. Vivian Lilly, Dean of Galen College of Nursing’s San Antonio campus. “The Nancy K. Maebius Student Success Center & Library creates a learning environment that embraces the values and passion that Nancy continues to exhibit as a nursing educator and advocate.”
Another significant project is the new high-fidelity Simulation Center. This 3,000-square-foot, multipurpose simulation center is a space where students respond and perform in real-time patient situations like those they will one day encounter in the nursing field. The new Simulation Center includes three separate simulation rooms so that three different simulations can be held at once, much like nurses see in any given day in a hospital setting. A multi-patient simulation area provides space for full simulation on non-private room scenarios like those seen in obstetrics and nursery situations. The Simulation Center also includes a nursing station, debriefing rooms and control rooms with video playback technology.
“The Simulation Center will provide supplemental experiences for students’ clinical site learning,” said Lilly. “It will give them an opportunity to participate in situations that they may not encounter at their clinical learning sites, therefore enhancing their skills and readiness to deal with situations once they are nurses.”
Other changes within the expansion project include:
At Brownwood, located at 4440 Piedras Drive South, Suite 200, Galen is investing in a renovation of the current space to make it more consistent with the OTC campus and to better meet the needs of students.
These renovations include:
About Galen College of Nursing
Founded more than 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, Galen offers practical/vocational Nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to nearly 3,000 students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is nationally accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and is also a candidate for accreditation with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award associate degrees. For questions about the accreditation status of Galen College of Nursing, contact: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, 404.679.4501 or visit our website.
TAMPA BAY, Fla. [April 16, 2012] – – The former Galen School of Nursing, which has been educating nurses in the Tampa Bay area since 1989, is now Galen College of Nursing.
Galen College is part of a four-campus system of colleges based in Louisville, Kentucky, and it offers programs for Practical Nursing (PN), as well as an Associate Degree in Nursing (RN).
Closely following on the heels of achieving Candidacy Status by the regional accrediting body, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Galen College received approval from the Florida Department of Education (FL DOE) for the name change. The change in designation from a “school” to a “college” exemplifies Galen’s continued educational commitment to the community it serves.
“This name change directly reflects our ongoing focus on graduating future nurses with associate degrees,” said Galen Dean Sharon A. Roberts, MS, ARNP. “Galen began as a school exclusively for Practical Nursing diplomas, but has evolved and added RN programs to give our students more options in their career paths.”
Founded more than 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, Galen offers practical/vocational Nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to nearly 3,000 students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is nationally accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and is also a candidate for accreditation with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. For questions about the accreditation status of Galen College of Nursing, contact: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, 404.679.4501. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit our website.
Washington, D.C., April 9, 2012 – – The Corporation for National and Community Service and the U.S. Department of Education today honored the nation’s leading colleges and universities, students, and faculty members, and staff for their commitment to bettering their communities through community service and service learning.
For the third consecutive year, Galen College of Nursing was admitted to the Honor Roll for its work with several agencies that children, families and others in the communities where Galen students and faculty live and work.
“Through service, these institutions are creating the next generation of leaders by challenging students to tackle tough issues and create positive impacts in the community,” said Robert Velasco, Acting CEO of CNCS. “We applaud the Honor Roll schools, their faculty and students for their commitment to make service a priority in and out of the classroom. Together, service and learning increase civic engagement while fostering social innovation among students, empowering them to solve challenges within their communities.”
“Preparing students to participate in our democracy and providing them with opportunities to take on local and global issues in their course work are as central to the mission of education as boosting college completion and closing the achievement gap,” said Eduardo Ochoa, the U.S. Department of Education’s assistant secretary for postsecondary education. “The Honor Roll schools should be proud of their work to elevate the role of service-learning on their campuses. Galvanizing their students to become involved in projects that address pressing concerns and enrich their academic experience has a lasting impact – both in the communities in which they work and on their own sense of purpose as citizens of the world. I hope we’ll see more and more colleges and universities following their lead.”
The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. Inspired by the thousands of college students who traveled across the country to support relief efforts along the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, the initiative celebrates the transformative power and volunteer spirit that exists within the higher education community.
As one of the nation’s largest educators of practical and registered nurses, Galen College of Nursing educates students at its main campus in Louisville, Ky., and three branch campuses located in San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. On all campuses, Galen embraces a culture of community and service.
“We feel it is our responsibility to educate health care professionals with the express purpose of creating positive change in the communities they serve,” said Mark Vogt, President of Galen College of Nursing. “Galen encourages students, faculty and staff to continuously evolve as responsible citizens who demonstrate a spirit of generosity by providing and supporting service-oriented opportunities.” In developing the college’s strategic plan, Galen created a Service goal of more than 2,000 hours of institutional involvement in community service projects. Students and faculty significantly beat this goal when they logged more than 11,000 volunteer and service-oriented hours. In addition to funds raised by students, staff and faculty, Galen annually donates nearly $100,000 to nonprofit organizations.
“While Galen is focused on education and health care, our reach into the communities we serve goes far beyond nursing,” said Vogt. “We are committed to maintaining a positive presence in our communities and serving in any way that is needed. Each campus works with organizations that are important in their community.”
Standing opportunities include involvement with:
“Through organizational and student involvement, service has become a part of Galen’s culture, ultimately helping to shape better communities,” said Vogt.
On campuses across the country, millions of college students are engaged in innovative projects to meet local needs, often using the skills learned in classrooms. In 2010, 3.1 million college students dedicated more than 312 million hours of service to communities across the country, service valued at more than $6.6 billion. Business and law students offer tax preparation and legal services, and college student volunteers provide meals, create parks, rebuild homes after disasters, conduct job training, run senior service programs, and much more.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a strong partner with the nation’s colleges and universities in supporting community service and service-learning. Last year, CNCS provided more than $200 million in support to institutions of higher education, including grants to operate service programs and the Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for college tuition and student loan repayment. CNCS is a catalyst for service-learning programs nationwide that connect community service with academic curricula. Through these programs, college students serve their communities while strengthening their academic and civic skills.
CNCS oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school’s commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service.
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Barack Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 7, 2012 – – Vivian C. Lilly, PhD., MBA, RN, has been appointed as dean of the Galen College of Nursing’s San Antonio Campus.
“Dr. Lilly brings nearly 30 years of expertise to Galen and is clearly a lifelong learner as evidenced by her educational background and accomplishments,” said Tracy A. Ortelli, Ph.D., RN, CNE, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “We are so pleased to have her lead Galen’s largest campus.”
Dr. Lilly comes to Galen most recently from Florence-Darlington Technical College in South Carolina, where she served as Associate Vice President of Health and Sciences. Dr. Lilly’s previous experiences have included administrative positions as Vice President of Instruction, Executive Dean at College Centers, Dean of Health and Human Services, Associate Dean Health Sciences, and faculty in both baccalaureate and associate degree nursing programs.
She was appointed the founding director of the associate degree nursing program at Collin County Community College District in McKinney, Texas. Serving there for 14 years, she gained State approval for the new program and initial and continuing accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Eight of the eleven graduating classes achieved 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam with the other three classes exceeding 92% pass rate. Only three students within the 14 years of her tenure did not pass the licensure exam the first time.
Dr. Lilly is a member of many higher education and nursing professional organizations including the American Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing, and Sigma Theta Tau International. She has served on the board of the Texas Nurses Association District Four in Dallas (TNAD-4) and Texas Nurses Association District Nine in Houston (TNAD-9) organizations. Before leaving South Carolina, she started the State chapter of the South Carolina-Organization of Associate Degree Nursing. She has been a site visitor for the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission for over 10 years.
Dr. Lilly earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees with a major in nursing from Texas Woman’s University. Her Doctor of Philosophy degree with a double major in Higher Education Administration and College Teaching was earned at the University of North Texas. This was followed by a post-doctoral MBA in Business Management from the University of Dallas.
Founded over 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, Galen offers practical/vocational Nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to nearly 3,000 students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is nationally accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and is also a candidate for accreditation with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. For questions about the accreditation status of Galen College of Nursing, contact: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, 404.679.4501. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit our website.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — February 29, 2012 – – Galen College of Nursing has been awarded candidacy status for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
“Candidacy status is a direct result of Galen’s ability to successfully demonstrate compliance with a select number of core requirements, comprehensive standards, and federal requirements,” said Mark Vogt, President of Galen College of Nursing. “For Galen, receiving candidacy status from SACS is just another step in our journey toward continued excellence for students and faculty.”
With changing times comes changing needs. Galen is working toward SACS regional accreditation to help students as they explore expanded educational goals.
“Galen is focused on ensuring that students have educational mobility and opportunity to advance within the nursing profession,” said Kathryn M. Mershon, MSN, RN, CNAA, FAAN, chair, Galen College of Nursing Board of Directors. “By seeking accreditation from SACS, we are sending the message to our students, their families, the health care community, and colleges and universities that Galen complies with a common set of rigorous standards.”
Galen began the process to seek membership in August 2009 with the submission of an application for membership, followed by a Candidacy Committee visit at all campuses in April 2011, and award of Candidacy in December 2011. Galen will now continue in the process to attain membership through the hosting of an Accreditation Committee visit.
Galen currently holds accreditation with the Council on Occupational Education, a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Accreditation by recognized agencies allows for institutions to participate in Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs.
About Galen College of Nursing
Founded over 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit our website.
About SACSCOC
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. The Commission’s mission is the enhancement of educational quality throughout the region and it strives to improve the effectiveness of institutions by ensuring that institutions meet standards established by the higher education community that address the needs of society and students. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America and other international sites approved by the Commission on Colleges that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees. The Commission also accepts applications from other international institutions of higher education.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., November 15, 2011 – – Galen College of Nursing today unveiled an innovative online option for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) who want to reach the next level in nursing as a Registered Nurse (RN).
With thousands of nurses in the workforce who are juggling careers and home life, Galen recognizes the need for flexible learning options. One of these programs is the newly launched online LPN-to-RN evening bridge option.
The program will prepare LPNs to become RNs in about 18 months. Students have the option of completing a majority of their coursework online during hours that are convenient for them. Hands-on laboratory and clinical education are provided during evenings and on weekends.
Galen College of Nursing online nursing education screen sample, RN Bridge.
Galen’s online nursing courses use multimedia tools such as flash-driven interactive presentations, instructional videos, web pages and downloadable content to deliver course lesson material. Students can download an audio file to listen to recorded course lectures or access the same lecture as a PDF file that they can print out or read on a digital device. Students also can view the lecture as an interactive online lesson.
“We recognize that individuals learn in a variety of ways,” said Tracy A. Ortelli, Ph.D., RN, CNE, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Galen. “Therefore, we created an online learning environment that gives students choices. Our students aren’t required to sit in a classroom at a specific time and listen to a lecture, they can choose from a variety of learning methods that best suit their learning and lifestyle needs”
About Galen College of Nursing
Founded over 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit our website.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., October 12, 2011 – – Galen College of Nursing has been honored with the Republic Bank We CARE Award for demonstrating through its employees and students, a concerted and dedicated commitment to the community. Galen College was selected for this prestigious award in the Education category.
For 2010, Galen was listed on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for volunteering more than 7,000 hours of community service. This national designation was part of the criteria that qualified Galen for the We CARE nomination.
“Our students, faculty and staff continuously seek out and participate in community service activities,” said Galen President Mark A. Vogt, “Reaching out to help others is what nursing is all about.”
In recognition, Galen was presented a handmade glass sculpture award designed by Louisville glass artist Casey Hyland.
Galen is humbled and honored to have been selected as an educational service leader in our community, joining some of the area’s most admired organizations.
About Galen College of Nursing
Founded over 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit our website.
St. Petersburg, Fla., July 18, 2011 – Beginning August 15, Galen School of Nursing will offer an RN program for students interested in earning an associate degree in nursing. Currently, the campus in St. Petersburg offers a bridge program for those students who have already earned an LPN.
“This new two-year program is a wonderful addition to our LPN and LPN-to-RN bridge programs,” said Sharon A. Roberts, MS, ARNP, dean of the Tampa Bay campus, ”This will allow students whose professional goal is to be an RN to begin the pursuit of that goal immediately as all prerequisites are integrated within the curriculum.”
Galen has been educating nurses in the Tampa area for more than 20 years and with the addition of this program, will help many more students achieve their dream of making a difference in the lives of the patients they care for.
In addition, Galen School of Nursing is among the top nursing schools in the U.S. in terms of National Council Licensure Examination pass rates, with Galen graduates’ average scores consistently exceeding the national average.
About Galen College of Nursing
Founded over 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit our website.
LOUISVILLE, KY — June 1, 2011 — Galen College of Nursing has been named to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement.
The Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the annual Honor Roll award, recognized more than 700 colleges and universities for their impact on issues ranging from poverty and homelessness to environmental justice. On campuses across the country, thousands of students joined their faculty to develop innovative programs and projects to meet local needs using the skills gained in their classrooms.
Galen students, faculty and staff engaged in more than 7,000 hours of charity- and service-related causes in 2010, including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk, Center for Women & Families, Salvation Army health screenings and distributing food to the hungry, Haiti earthquake relief efforts through Supplies Over Seas, American Red Cross blood drives, volunteer work with the Special Olympics, public health fairs, and much more.
At Galen, our students, faculty, and staff believe in giving back,” Mark Vogt, President of Galen, said. “We are about nursing, and that’s what nurses do — they help make a difference in the lives of others. But in general, at Galen, we feel it’s important that our students engage in community-based service efforts because it helps to create a more well-rounded educational experience while also providing something immediately positive.”
“As members of the class of 2011 cross the stage to pick up their diplomas,” said Patrick A. Corvington, Chief Executive Officer of CNCS, more and more will be going into the world with a commitment to public service and the knowledge that they can make a difference in their communities and their own lives through service to others, thanks to the leadership of these institutions. Congratulations to Galen College of Nursing and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities.
The Corporation for National and Community Service, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted a total of 641 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth. Of that total, 511 were named to the Honor Roll, 114 received the recognition of Honor Roll with distinction, 11 were identified as finalists, and six received the Presidential Award.
About Galen College of Nursing
Founded over 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit our website.
About CNCS
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is a federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Barack Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – March 14, 2011 – Galen College of Nursing announced that Shirley S. Chater, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, former president of Texas Woman’s University and an American Academy of Nursing “Living Legend,” has joined the nursing college’s board of directors.
During her tenure at Texas Woman’s University, The New York Times cited TWU for its participatory team management style. During her leadership, a community health clinic for the underserved was created and managed by faculty of the School of Nursing in Denton. Dr. Chater also served for many years as a faculty member at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing and at U.C. Berkeley in the School of Education, holding the position of Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UCSF.
A member of the American Academy of Nursing and the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, in 2000 Dr. Chater also was named a “Living Legend” by the American Academy of Nursing, in recognition of contributions to the nursing profession.
“Having Dr. Shirley Chater join the Galen Board of Directors is an honor,” said Tracy A. Ortelli, Ph.D. (c), RN, CNE. “Her professional accomplishments and leadership capacity will further advance Galen’s efforts to offer high quality, innovative education. Dr. Chater’s influence will undoubtedly help all of us — students, staff, and faculty — achieve greater levels of success.”
Dr. Chater also served as Commissioner of the United States Social Security Administration during the Clinton administration (1993-1997) where she was responsible for 65,000 employees and a budget that exceeded $480 billion.
About Galen College of Nursing
Founded over 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit our website.
Galen College of Nursing (Galen) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Galen may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Galen consists of a Main Campus located in Kentucky and off-campus instructional sites in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Branch campus accreditation is dependent upon the continued accreditation of the Main Campus.
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) requires that postsecondary institutions participating in federal student aid programs make certain disclosures to enrolled and prospective students, parents, employees, and the public. Galen makes this information available to you online at https://www.galencollege.edu/consumer-disclosures/.
