Board approves four new academic programs in allied health and digital media

The Board of Regents approved four new academic programs intended to expand capacity in health fields and digital media across Louisiana.

The board approved a radiologic technology program at Fletcher Technical Community College meant to serve the Houma/Terrebonne region; the program was developed with area hospitals including Terrebonne General and Ochsner regional partners. SOWELA Technical Community College won approval for a respiratory care program aimed at Lake Charles and the surrounding area; presenters said multiple hospitals within a 15‑mile radius requested that capacity. Northshore Technical Community College received approval for an associate of applied science in patient navigation, a new role designed to help patients manage care and appointments; North Shore Healthscape collaborated on the curriculum. Southern University A&M won approval for a bachelor of arts in digital media arts with five concentrations including digital screen production, motion graphics and recording arts.

Why it matters: Regents and presenters said the health programs address local shortages of allied health personnel and are aligned with employer demand. The patient navigator program is an innovation intended to improve care coordination and free clinical staff for bedside care. The digital media arts degree aims to expand creative and technical workforce opportunities.

Board action: Senior staff recommended approval of all four programs and the Board approved them after brief acknowledgement of campus representatives in the meeting room.