Manchester University hires director to start nursing program

Manchester University is launching a nursing program to address the growing need for nurses in Indiana and across the nation.

To that end, Beth Schultz has joined the northeast Indiana university as founding director of the nursing program.

She is working with Lea Johnson, vice president for health science initiatives, to guide the bachelor’s degree program through the accrediting process, which is expected to take more than a year to complete.

“The need is now, and it’s growing,” Johnson said, noting that the move to add nursing at Manchester is a natural with its strong track record in the health sciences at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Manchester offers a professional doctorate in pharmacy and master’s degrees in athletic training and pharmacogenomics. At the undergraduate level, it offers rigorous programs that provide essential skills and knowledge to pursue a wide variety of health care careers.

“We have a goal of beginning the program sometime in 2021,” Johnson said. “The Parkview Health nursing leadership has been highly supportive and collaborative. We look forward to having our nursing students benefit from a rich clinical experience – through the hospitals in the Parkview system as well as other excellent clinical opportunities in the region.”

Schultz comes to Manchester from the Anderson University School of Nursing in South Carolina. She was there when the school was established in 2012 and brings valuable insight into the process of building a nursing program.

She has a variety of nursing experiences as a practitioner, administrator and educator. Schultz was most recently undergraduate chair and associate professor of nursing in the Anderson program.

“Nursing education has evolved over 20 years, and I have been inspired to look for ways to educate our students that will better prepare them to provide compassionate, high-quality patient care,” Schultz said.

She holds an associate’s degree from Gulf Coast Community College in Florida, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of North Florida, a master’s degree in nursing from Jacksonville University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in leadership from Union University in Jackson, Tenn.

She is pursuing a second doctorate through the University of South Carolina. Last year, Schultz was named a Robert Wood Johnson Future of Nursing Scholar. One of her passions is researching summer camp nursing practices.

About Manchester
With campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., Manchester University offers more than 70 areas of academic study to about 1,400 students in undergraduate programs,a Master of Accountancy, a Master of Science in pharmacogenomics, a Master of Athletic Training a four-year professional Doctor of Pharmacy degree and a four-year dual degree in pharmacy and pharmacogenomics. Learn more about the private, northern Indiana school at www.manchester.edu. 

Our mission
Manchester University respects the infinite worth of every individual and graduates persons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.
September 2019

More about Lea Johnson: https://www.manchester.edu/about-manchester/leadership/presidents-cabinet/lea-a-johnson