Roseman University’s SPARK program held its first high school SPARK session at Nevada State High School in Henderson.
SPARK is an innovative hands-on program designed to inspire and support the scientists and healthcare providers of tomorrow. Roseman brings SPARK to area high-school students through early exposure to the various science and healthcare professions to help position students for future success. The knowledge students receive at a SPARK session allows them to evaluate a variety of different healthcare careers, providing them with career readiness and competitive advantage.
Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy Class of 2023 PharmD candidate and Roseman University student ambassador Alex Koo said it was great to see high school students taking extra time to learn about Roseman’s programs.
“I went to high school in Las Vegas and had no idea Roseman existed, so I’m super excited to see students expressing interest so early.”
Roseman University Vice President of Strategic Implementation and Engagement Vanessa Maniago is responsible for spearheading SPARK and is proud to launch the program to area high-schoolers.
“We hope to offer students an opportunity and inspiration to consider a path into the health sciences,” she said. “To fulfill our community’s healthcare needs, to diversify our healthcare workforce of the future, and to work in a highly satisfying, secure profession.”
The SPARK program seeks to increase the quantity and diversity of the local healthcare workforce through this innovative pipeline initiative. Dr. Cheryl Brewster is Professor and Senior Executive Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion with the Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Medicine. She views the SPARK program as a great introduction to Roseman’s academic offerings.
“I think this is a great opportunity for RUHS to become better known in the Las Vegas area and is a great way to increase enrollment in our health professionals schools.”
SPARK & Nevada State High School
During the session, representatives from Roseman University offered an overview of careers within the health sciences field including estimated salary and job outlook.
Fulbright Scholar and Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy Professor Dr. Manas Mandal shared that his “personal involvement and initiative to reach out to the local high school students goes back many years with Henderson Chamber of Commerce’s ‘I Can Be’ initiative.”
“Roseman’s SPARK event at the Nevada State High School is an extension of those outreach efforts in a more cohesive manner,” Dr. Mandal said.
Dr. Mandal enjoyed speaking with students about Roseman’s “unique approach to Pharmacy education and patient care” and hopes students left the session confident they could receive a top-notch education in Las Vegas valley.
Members of Roseman’s admissions teams were also there to discuss potential pathways into the health professions and shared which extra-curricular activities would help them stand out as an applicant. Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Nursing Director of Admissions & Enrollment Erik Dillon said the SPARK session offered a great opportunity to give insight on the benefits of graduating high school with an associate’s degree.
“Essentially the early engagement with college credits benefits Nevada State High School students as it shortens the timeframe they need to complete prerequisites to get into our nursing program,” he explains. “Completion of prerequisites helps save time and money in the long run.”
Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Nursing Admissions Recruiter Moises Ybarra also participated in the presentation.
“I hope the SPARK program lets high school students know that Roseman University believes in them,” he said. “Roseman is here to support their aspirations of joining the health professions in the future!”
If you’re interested in learning more about SPARK, contact:
Vanessa Maniago
Vice President, Strategic Implementation and Engagement
vmaniago@roseman.edu / marketing@roseman.edu
About Roseman University of Health Sciences
Founded in Henderson, Nevada in 1999, Roseman University of Health Sciences is a non-profit, private institution of higher learning training the next generation of undergraduate and graduate-level health care professionals that serve, collaborate and set new standards in their communities and within their professions. With campuses in Henderson and Summerlin (Las Vegas), Nevada and South Jordan, Utah, the University is comprised of the College of Dental Medicine, offering an Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics/MBA residency and Doctor of Dental Medicine program; College of Pharmacy, offering a Doctor of Pharmacy and Professional Continuing Education; College of Nursing, offering an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner; College of Graduate Studies offering a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. Roseman University of Health Sciences will also offer a Doctor of Medicine through its College of Medicine, once it becomes accredited. More than 6,500 Roseman graduates care for patients, conduct research, and engage in public health and policy in Nevada, Utah, and across the country. Roseman University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.