MSU receives CPE Healthcare Workforce Investment grant

Through its nursing and imaging sciences programs, Morehead State University has a well-known reputation for producing qualified medical professionals ready to make an immediate impact in the field. Kentucky’s Council for Postsecondary Education is providing a grant for financial assistance and job placement for MSU students in these fields.

MSU and UK St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead will both benefit from the CPE's Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund, which provides healthcare training scholarships for Kentucky residents who are enrolled in high-quality healthcare professional programs.

Several MSU healthcare programs will receive the following scholarship funding through UK St. Claire, combined with matching funds through the CPE Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund:

• Associate in Applied Sciences in Radiologic Science: $135,160 ($270,320 total)
• Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science: $150,000 ($300,000 total)
• Associate in Applied Sciences in Nursing: $57,950 ($115,900 total)

These scholarships will go to approximately two students in each program. In exchange, these students will sign an employment agreement to work for UKSC for two years upon graduation. Each respective department has a committee of faculty along with a representative from the healthcare provider that reviews student applications and conducts interviews.

Students who are chosen to receive the funding must agree to contingent employment with UK St. Claire Health Care to receive the award. If they agree to the agreement, the funds are processed by MSU's Financial Aid office on behalf of the student for tuition and fees at MSU.

Other regional hospitals that will benefit from this partnership and CPE Healthcare Workforce grant include UK King's Daughters' Medical Center in Ashland and CHI Saint Joseph Health in Mt. Sterling.

Kayla Harrison (Class of 2016, 2019), talent manager for UK St. Claire, said in the grant proposal that they wanted to start with radiology technology and nursing, since those healthcare jobs are always in demand.

"St. Claire itself is growing... we're expanding some of the services that we offer here. So, that has made us have a need to grow our workforce a little bit," Harrison said. "It basically guarantees them a position once they graduate."

Jeff Fannin (Class of 1990), MSU's imaging sciences program coordinator, said the CPE workforce grant allows students to come to college with free tuition who would otherwise not have applied to MSU and gives those students, many from MSU's 22-county service region, a chance to use their newfound skills to give back to those communities.

"We're giving back to communities that need to be served... It's encouraging," Fannin said. "We're doing so much with these grants for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and for the students of Morehead State University."

To learn more about imaging sciences programs at MSU, email imaging@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2180.

For more information about MSU's nursing programs, contact nursingdept@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2641.