In my role as dean of the College of Health and Science at Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), I collaborated in the acquisition of two resource-intensive healthcare programs associated with university closures. In December 2016, CSP began the acquisition process for a pre-licensure nursing program, and, in March 2019, CSP acquired a diagnostic medical sonography program. Currently, in April 2020, CSP is pursuing the acquisition of a third program, a pre-licensure nursing program in another state also associated with a university closure. The acquisitions had similarities and differences, with one primary dissimilarity being my leadership and recognition of lessons learned from previous acquisitions. If you find yourself in a similar position in which you are wondering about program acquisition, here are some suggestions to guide you along your way.
Character (Still) Counts: Moral Injury and the Case for Character Education
Many academic leaders remember the Character Counts! initiative from the 1990s and early 2000s. It was visible in schools and youth programs nationwide, emphasizing as core values the Six Pillars
Teresa Maggard Stephens
June 15, 2026
