Walla Walla, Wash. – Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) welcomes Dr. Benjamin Schultze as the college’s Dean of Nursing and Allied Health. He begins work in his new role at WWCC on August 15.
Schultze currently serves as the Director of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program and Associate Professor of Nursing at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). He is also a flight nurse in the United States Air Force Reserves. He earned a Doctor of Nursing degree from Vanderbilt University and holds a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Yale University and a Master of Education degree from University of Vermont.
“Dr. Schultze is a strong advocate for the development of rural educational opportunities, as well as a passionate supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” WWCC Vice President of Instruction Dr. Jessica Clark said. “His expertise, as well as his service as a flight nurse for the US Air Force, will bring new perspectives and opportunities to our nursing and allied health programs.”
The Dean of Nursing and Allied Health is responsible for the leadership, management, and administration of WWCC’s Nursing and Allied Health programs. Schultze will oversee related programs, faculty and staff at the college’s campuses in Walla Walla and Clarkston. Programs under his oversight will include Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Fire Science, and EMT.
As these programs generally require clinical learning, Schultze will also work to enhance existing partnerships, and build new ones, with area healthcare organizations. Through these partnerships and program advisory committees, Schultze will collect the necessary feedback to continue to align WWCC programs with employment needs throughout the college district.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed healthcare systems, and it will be the role of community colleges to develop the nursing and allied health staff of today and tomorrow to continue to meet the need of our local communities,” Schultze said.
WWCC graduates in these fields continue to be in high demand. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of Registered Nurses (RN) is projected to grow an additional 9% from 2020 to 2030. WWCC students receive a comprehensive, engaging, and hands-on education from faculty who are experts in the fields they teach.
“I am beyond excited about the possibilities of further positioning WWCC to be a source of excellence in developing people from within the community to provide tomorrow’s care,” Schultze said.