Message from Dean Nicoleta Bugnariu

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the School of Health Sciences.

The School of Health Sciences provides opportunities for a diverse student body to obtain the knowledge, attitudes, skills and competencies necessary to serve in the health care professions and to continue their growth and learning throughout their professional careers.

The academic portfolio of the School of Health Sciences presently includes programs representing ten professions: athletic training, audiology, clinical nutrition, medical/health science, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, social work and speech-language pathology. 

Bringing established and new programs under the SHS provides new opportunities to leverage expertise and resources from all programs and provide our students with rich interprofessional education and collaborative practice. Moreover, it increases our ability to lead and serve our communities in constant need of highly skilled healthcare professionals and improve health and wellness in the Central Valley and throughout Northern California.

As a school, we have great opportunities and responsibilities to provide a purpose-driven, transformational educational experience and prepare our graduates to positively shape the future of health professions. As we become ONE school and a family for all our programs and stakeholders, we stand united in our commitment to superior student-centered education, academic excellence, compassionate practice and celebration of diversity, equity and inclusion.

As founding Dean of the SHS, I am humbled and energized by the opportunity to serve our students, faculty and staff, to share our story with alumni, partners and the community at large, and I look forward to the exciting future we will build together.

Again, thank you for your interest in the School of Health Sciences, and I hope you will join us!

Nicoleta Bugnariu
Dean, School of Health Sciences