Pepperdine Announces the Decision to Establish the COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCE
The announcement, made in March, heralded the impending launch of the University’s academic home of graduate and undergraduate healthcare education degree programs. Informed by conversations with a wide range of segments across the University, as well as strategic consultants and healthcare leaders in Southern California and across the country, the College of Health Science provides a world- class education for the next generation of healthcare professionals so they may lead with knowledge, compassion, and confidence in today’s evolving medical and allied health landscape. Classes at the college’s School of Nursing and School of Speech-Language Pathology will begin in August 2025, with future plans to develop occupational therapy, physician assistant, and physical therapy programs.
Michael E. Feltner, formerly the inaugural dean of academic initiatives and the dean of Seaver College, was named the college’s founding dean in April. A proven scholar and administrator, Feltner was a major contributor to the analysis that led to the new college’s offerings.
To best serve the needs of all interested students, the School of Nursing will offer two pathways to a bachelor’s degree. The first pathway will offer students a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences at Seaver College for two years followed by two years of intensive nursing training; the second will offer a two-year program in nursing subsequent to earning an associate’s degree at an accredited program. The school will also offer a three-year entry-level master of science in nursing, clinical nurse leader program.
The School of Nursing is led by dean Angel Coaston (pictured right, top), whose experience includes 10 years in academia, most recently as associate dean of clinical academic practice partnerships and associate professor of nursing at California Baptist University. She was previously the director of the master of science in nursing program at Azusa Pacific University and a leader of transitional care and case management initiatives at Loma Linda University. Before her academic endeavors, Coaston cofounded the Well of Healing Mobile Medical Clinic, which provides free primary care to San Bernardino County residents in need.
Leah Fullman (pictured right, bottom) serves as the dean of the School of Speech-Language Pathology. Fullman most recently guided the development of seven health science programs and led the creation of an online master’s in speech-language pathology and PhD in health sciences for Faulkner University as founding dean of its College of Health Sciences. She also served a significant role on the university’s advancement team, acquiring grants to fund the college and managing multimillion dollar budgets.
