In February 2025, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded more than $1.2 million in total funding to Cleveland County Schools, Cleveland Community College, and Gardner-Webb University to establish a new Healthcare Educational Pathway to expand access to the field, build local talent, and strengthen the healthcare workforce in the region.
This initiative is a great example of collaboration among a public K-12 school system, a community college, and a private university—each playing a vital role in helping students develop the skills and experience necessary for success in the high-demand field of healthcare.
A Unified Vision for Healthcare Workforce Preparedness
The Healthcare Education Pathway partnership aligns with Golden LEAF’s Workforce Preparedness priority, which supports strategies that equip individuals with the skills and credentials needed to meet local employer demand. Healthcare is not only vital to individual and community well-being—it also drives economic growth. It generates high-quality, sustainable jobs, supports a healthier workforce, and strengthens a region’s ability to attract and retain businesses.
The Healthcare Education Pathway initiative spurred from conversations between the president of Gardner-Webb University, the president of Cleveland Community College, and the superintendent of Cleveland County Schools.
“We meet almost monthly and have several projects and various initiatives we collaborate on,” Superintendent of Cleveland County Schools Dr. Steve Fisher. “We’re already involved in various career exploration activities, particularly in Health Sciences. So, when the Golden LEAF opportunity came up, it felt like a natural track to follow.”
Interim President of Gardner-Webb University Nate Evans added, “This particular partnership grew from a shared vision among local education leaders—encouraged by the Golden LEAF Community-Based Grants Initiative—to expand healthcare education pathways and meet workforce needs in Cleveland County.”
Expanding Healthcare Career Pathways at Cleveland County Schools
Cleveland County Schools was awarded $360,590 to expand its Healthcare Education Pathway. This project specifically focuses on students at Turning Point Academy, the district’s alternative school.
“From the school system’s perspective, we want to ensure our students have college and/or career experiences prior to graduating high school,” said Dr. Fisher. “We do have a hospital—Atrium Health in Shelby—but we also face a workforce shortage in healthcare, from highly skilled professionals to entry-level roles like CNAs. We’ve expanded our programming at Turning Point Academy to provide more career-focused opportunities to address the entry-level need.”
Students enrolled in alternative schools often face significant barriers to accessing education and career pathways.
“Our goal with the health sciences pathway was to reach students who might otherwise miss these career exploration opportunities because they are not in traditional schools,” said Dr. Fisher. “This program aims to re-engage students who have become disconnected from school and provide them with viable career pathways in health sciences.”
Golden LEAF funding will support personnel, renovations, equipment, supplies, furniture, and transportation, creating an environment where students can gain exposure to healthcare careers and earn credentials that open doors to quality jobs.
Health Science Academy at Cleveland Community College
Cleveland Community College was awarded $622,662 to establish a Health Science Academy that will serve as a regional training hub for healthcare careers. The academy will offer dual enrollment options for high school students in programs such as nursing, medical assisting, sonography, radiography, and surgical technology.
“Cleveland County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area and a Health Professional Shortage Area by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, facing significant shortages in primary care, dental health, and mental health services,” said Cleveland Community College President Dr. Jason Hurst. “Expanding opportunities for students to explore and engage with healthcare careers increases the likelihood that they will complete high school, pursue healthcare training, and enter the local workforce.”
Summer programs will further cultivate interest in health sciences among middle and high school students. With this initiative, Cleveland Community College expects to increase the number of students completing health science credentials from three to 50 annually, meeting critical local workforce needs. Representatives from each institution met on April 3, 2025, to officially kick off this exciting partnership.
“The team outlined project activities set to begin this summer, starting with a healthcare-themed camp at Gardner-Webb University,” said Dr. Hurst. “Camp attendees will earn third-party healthcare credentials. Cleveland County Schools and Cleveland Community College will be directly involved with the camp. Updated course scheduling options and added student engagement strategies will strengthen the pipeline of students earning prerequisite courses for healthcare education pathways.”
Expanding Access and Experience at Gardner-Webb University
Gardner-Webb University was awarded $290,408 to implement a Summer Bridge Program and expand hands-on experiences for nursing students. The Summer Bridge Program will engage high school students with immersive, real-world exposure to careers in nursing, pharmacy, and public health.
“Rising 11th- and 12th-grade students will participate in a Summer Bridge Program at Gardner-Webb University, where they will experience immersion into healthcare fields through interactive activities, such as lab work, simulations, networking, and shadowing healthcare professionals,” said Evans. “Additionally, the students will receive third-party credentialing in CPR and other certifications, making them more prepared to advance in their education and careers.”
The Summer Bridge Program at Gardner-Webb is expected to lead to increased enrollment in the schools’ nursing programs, which include the Associate Science of Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice, as well as to third party credentials.
“This initiative significantly helps us reduce a key bottleneck in our healthcare programs,” said Evans. “By addressing that challenge, approximately 320 undergraduate and graduate nursing students will benefit from the enhanced equipment funded by Golden LEAF that will improve the quality of their training and preparation for the workforce.This funding also reinforces Gardner-Webb’s existing community college transfer agreements.”
Investing in Cleveland County’s Future
Together, these three educational institutions are creating a seamless educational pathway that begins in high school and can extend through graduate-level training. This collaboration is not only helping students achieve their academic and career goals, it is also ensuring that Cleveland County builds and sustains the healthcare workforce it needs to prosper.
Golden LEAF is proud to fund this transformative initiative, a model for how collaboration between education partners can fuel job creation, strengthen community health, and build a stronger economy for the future.