Photo of Rear Admiral Webb Young, Assistant Surgeon General (Retired)

As a result of these meetings and the actions recommended by the group the Environmental Health program at EKU has made tremendous strides in further meeting is student and our nations needs. This advisory group has helped the faculty design student and faculty recruitment strategies, design-mentoring processes for both students and new faculty, and has made substantial long-range curriculum change recommendations. Examples of these curriculum changes include the suggestion that basic Spanish language courses be required of all EHS students and that our current African American health course (EHS) title be changed to one that is more inclusive of minority groups including African Americans and be made a part of our required curriculum. All of the individuals on the task force generously offer their time to mentor students in the program. The travel expenses of the external stakeholders are paid for by the EHS program thought an unfilled faculty position line that the faculty unanimously agreed would be better put to use in this way. Unexpected impacts of the meetings of this group, has been to revitalize the energy of the faculty in regard to recruitment and in respect to maintaining “continuous quality improvement processes.” Another is the assistance this group gives our students in high quality job placement and the recommendations that they write for our students. The biannual meetings also provide them with an opportunity to report on our progress to the President of the University and to our other University administrators. As a result of this Task Force, the EKU Environmental Health Program has achieved very high and positive visibility with the administration of the University.