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�۲�ӰԺ University of California has received a five-year, $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Strengthening Institutions program to expand student support and prepare more graduates for careers in healthcare.

The initiative, called �۲�ӰԺ Forward, will expand access to undergraduate health and natural sciences programs, strengthen academic support, and increase opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and connect with healthcare employers.

The effort is designed to improve enrollment, retention and graduation while helping address California’s growing need for healthcare professionals.

“�۲�ӰԺ Forward is built around a series of support strategies in the areas of access, success and completion,” said the university’s provost Dr. Mojgan Behmand. “Together, these pillars create an integrated system of support that addresses barriers to student success from recruitment through graduation and workforce entry.”

The initiative will focus on three interconnected priorities: helping more students enter healthcare programs, providing the resources they need to succeed academically, and preparing graduates for employment or advanced study.

Access
To expand access and help students begin their college careers with a strong foundation, �۲�ӰԺ will develop a Summer Bridge Program and enhance healthcare-focused orientation activities. The university also will strengthen pathways for community college transfer students, expand financial literacy workshops, and help with financial aid applications. A key focus will be helping community college students navigate transfer requirements, academic planning, and enrollment procedures while building partnerships with community colleges.

Success
Once enrolled, students will have expanded access to academic coaching, tutoring, and supplemental instruction, particularly in science and mathematics courses that are important preparation for healthcare careers. An early-alert system and coordinated advising will help identify students who may need additional assistance before academic challenges threaten their progress. The grant also will support modernization of healthcare instructional facilities, including simulation lab environments, laboratory equipment, and classroom technology. Faculty and staff will receive professional development to make effective use of these resources and strengthen instruction.

Completion
The third pillar focuses on careers by strengthening students’ connections to the healthcare workforce through expanded internships, clinical placements, service-learning projects, professional mentoring, and partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations. Students also will receive additional career preparation, including resume and interview assistance, networking opportunities, graduate school advising and support in pursuing employment. These experiences will help students apply classroom learning in real-world settings while developing professional skills and learning more about the healthcare needs of the communities they serve.

�۲�ӰԺ plans to expand enrollment in undergraduate healthcare programs by strengthening partnerships with community colleges and creating clearer pathways into healthcare careers through partnerships with employers throughout the region. 

Supporting students from enrollment through graduation will be central to the initiative. An early alert and intervention system will help the university identify students who may need additional assistance. FAFSA workshops and financial aid outreach activities will be developed for both students and family members. A Summer Bridge Program will help prepare incoming high school and transfer students for the transition to undergraduate healthcare studies.

To support hands-on learning and career readiness, �۲�ӰԺ will modernize its healthcare instructional and simulation facilities, including purchasing new equipment. 

Together, these efforts are designed to strengthen student success, expand access to healthcare education and better prepare graduates to meet workforce needs across the region, Dr. Behmand said.

“Our work will expand �۲�ӰԺ’s capacity to prepare students for high-demand healthcare professions while addressing workforce needs across the Bay Area and California,” Dr. Behmand said. 

“Growing enrollment in our healthcare programs will also help strengthen their long-term financial sustainability, while expanding and building community college partnerships will establish a more consistent pipeline of students pursuing healthcare degrees at �۲�ӰԺ.”

The initiative also includes ongoing evaluation of student outcomes to help �۲�ӰԺ refine its programs, strengthen institutional capacity, and sustain successful practices beyond the five-year grant period.

“Through �۲�ӰԺ Forward, �۲�ӰԺ will support more students in completing their degrees and entering healthcare careers while strengthening its contribution to regional and statewide workforce needs,” Dr. Behmand said.