We foster meaningful connections through critical thinking and self-reflection, courageous conversations, culturally responsive care and practices for patients and clients, and intentional collaborations with alumni and the local community.
On January 23, 2023 Salus University administered a campus-wide student and employee campus climate survey. We selected Viewfinder® by Campus Climate Surveys, a third-party vendor who has an established track-record of excellence in campus climate surveys for institutions of higher education. As with all university surveys, the Campus Climate Survey was completely anonymous, meaning there is no way anyone could link your name or email address with how you respond to this survey. Only aggregate or group results, not individual survey results, were obtained and shared with stakeholders. No personal identifying information was collected. Participants received an email invitation directly from Campus Climate Surveys, LCC inviting them to participate in the survey. The results of these surveys will provide vital information that can be used by Salus University as the institution continues to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. It is an opportunity for the members of our campus community to anonymously provide feedback about belonging, connection and inclusivity at Salus University.
To ensure that our work to enhance the quality of a Salus at Drexel University education matters to everyone who seeks and qualifies to attend, we must ensure a Salus/Drexel education is affordable. This list highlights the university scholarships and a sampling of external scholarships that are available to assist students:
Alma L. Boben Memorial Scholarship
Established by the estate of Alma L. Boben, OD ’28, in loving memory of her father, optometrist H. J. Leuze. This is awarded to worthy female students.
A.A. Phillips-SOSH Scholarship
The scholarship was established and funded by A.A. Phillips, OD, a 1969 graduate of PCO who founded the Student Optometric Service to Humanity (SOSH). The scholarship is awarded to a student from either the former British West Indies or a non-U.S. citizen from the Caribbean.
Vistakon Scholarship
Established by Vistakon, a division of Johnson and Johnson Vision Care, Inc., in support of diversity recruitment efforts, this scholarship is awarded to optometry students selected on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated financial need and community involvement.
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program
The IHS LRP awards up to $20,000 per year for the repayment of your qualified student loans in exchange for an initial two-year service obligation to practice full time at an Indian Health Program site.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation’s Minority Student Scholarship
Racial/ethnic minority students who are U.S. citizens, who are accepted for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology, and who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement are eligible to compete for a scholarship. This scholarship is supported by the ASH Foundation's Minority Fund.
Johnson & Johnson Scholarship
The Johnson & Johnson Scholarship was established to provide financial aid to deserving underrepresented minority PA students, with the goal of increasing diversity in the physician assistant workforce and alleviating disparities in access to healthcare among underserved populations. Scholarship recipients are selected based on financial need, academic performance, community service and commitment to providing care in underserved communities.
AOTA E.K. Wise Scholarship: Building a Diverse Occupational Therapy Workforce
Previously known as the E.K. Wise Loan Program, the fund was established in the 1960s through the generous bequest of Elizabeth K. Wise to support women pursuing higher education degrees. The scholarship fund reflects the changes that have occurred in the education of entry-level occupational therapists over the last several decades while remaining true to the intent of the original bequest. The focus of the scholarship will be to support students from diverse backgrounds who can meet E.K. Wise’s and the Association’s objectives of developing a workforce to meet society’s diverse occupational needs in underserved areas or communities.
The scholarship supports female students pursuing a post baccalaureate entry-level degree program in occupational therapy. Two awards will be granted annually in the amount of $5,000. Students may apply for a second year.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation’s Minority Student Scholarship
Racial/ethnic minority students who are U.S. citizens, who are accepted for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology, and who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement are eligible to compete for a scholarship. This scholarship is supported by the ASHFoundation's Minority Fund.
National Black Association For Speech, Language And Hearing
The National Black Association for Speech-Language & Hearing (NBASLH) invites black students to submit a research paper to competition for a scholarship award. A panel of professionals will use a blind review process to select one recipient for a $1000 scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded at NBASLH’s annual convention. The recipient will receive a travel allowance to attend the convention and present the research paper.
ELIGIBILITY: Any black student who is enrolled at least half time in a master’s degree program in speech-language pathology, audiology or speech and hearing sciences. Post baccalaureate students who are working toward completing the professional academic requirements for entry to a master’s program may also apply. Please note that the competition is not available to undergraduate or doctoral students. The student must be enrolled in school at the time the award is made.
Cumberland Bilingual Spanish Speech Scholarship
As a nationwide leader in providing quality therapy services to school districts and private therapeutic schools for more than two decades, Cumberland Therapy Services has created the Bilingual Spanish Speech Scholarship to award $2,500 annually to one deserving graduate student enrolled in an accredited master’s program in speech-language pathology. Applicants must be fluent in both English and Spanish, have experience working in programs for Spanish-speaking children, and intend to pursue a career providing Spanish speech therapy.
Kala Singh Memorial Scholarship for International Students
In honor of a beloved audiologist and pioneer publisher of speech-language publications who was killed during an attempted hijacking of a Pan Am jetliner in Karachi in Pakistan, the Kala Singh Memorial Scholarship for International Students is provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). In order to qualify for the $5,000 award, candidates must be full-time international graduate students studying speech-language pathology in the United States with outstanding academic achievement.
National Hispanic Scholarship Fund
HSF/ General College Scholarships are designed to assist students of Hispanic heritage obtain a college degree. Award amounts generally range from $1,000 to $5,000.
More information is provided on the Scholarships page of our website.
Drexel University provides information about external scholarships and awards to help its students pursue their educational opportunities. Drexel University is not affiliated with these scholarships and awards. Any questions about an external scholarship or award should be directed to the sponsoring organization.
Originally established in 1976, the ran until 2015 and served over 700 participants. The program relaunched in June 2021 to meet the increasingly diverse nation’s optometric needs.
Presentations and workshops for any class, department, college or student organization in a 60, 90 or 120-minute format are offered. All workshops (in-person and virtual) are interactive, utilizing lecture, dialogue, and video content.
Workshops (most topic are covered in general, but can be applied specifically to healthcare):
Cultural Humility
The current state of affairs relative to social justice issues (race, gender, sexual identity and expression, religion, physical/mental ability, and socio-economic status) shows us that the need for diversity and inclusion in our society is greater than ever.
The diversity and inclusion concept of cultural humility is a current framework being employed by institutions and organizations that seek to achieve cultural transformation. Juliana believes that through conscious consideration, we can be proactive in preparing for and adhering to the inevitable changes in society.
She will challenge us to think about our own personal biases and collectively learn to truly embrace, appreciate, and live communally with those who are different from us.
DIsability as Diversity
Today, the world population is over 7 billion people and more than one billion people, or approximately 15 percent of the world’s population, live with some form of disability; 80 per cent live in developing countries. (World Health Organization) Disability discrimination in educational and workplaces is not generally malicious or premeditated. It is often the result of unconscious bias, a lack of information and education, and a fear of doing or saying the wrong thing for fear of causing offense, which often ironically causes far greater offense. For example, ‘Walk this way!’ ‘Did you see that?' ‘Did you hear that?' ‘I’m going mad!'
This disability awareness training challenges attitudes amongst both those with and without a disability, increasing understanding of disability issues. We will be encouraged to discuss our preconceptions of disability and our fears of interacting with people with disabilities. The workshop will include information on a range of disabilities, including acquired disabilities, hearing and visual impairments, learning disabilities and issues surrounding mental health.
LGBTQ+ Fundamentals and Becoming an Ally
The goal of this introductory training session is to provide a basic information about sexual orientation, especially as it relates to students, faculty and staff. Topics addressed include an overview of relevant terminology, the coming out process, and how to be an ally for someone who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. Participants at this training session will have an opportunity to make a personal commitment to becoming a Salus Safe Space Ally — however, becoming an ally is not a requirement of this training session.
Bridging the Generational Divide
Silents, Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials…and now Gen Zers. Five generations in the workplace, no wonder the views on work, time, attire, and professional conduct are so varied. If we are working together, we benefit from better understanding our generational difference and how they impact our work and interactions. This workshop provides an overview of the five generations in the workplace, challenge us to explore if difference is personality driven or based on birth group, and how to adjust to people with different work expectations.