Meadville Medical Center (MMC) and Allegheny College announced a collaboration between the medical center’s Institute for Healthcare Professionals and the College, to provide a high-quality educational experience for nursing students attending the Sharon School of Nursing in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Allegheny College Provost Jennifer Dearden said, “To extend liberal arts courses to these students is a real investment in educating this vital group of learners. Since healthcare touches all of our lives, it’s exciting to infuse critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, and exposure to exceptional Allegheny College faculty into the training of future healthcare professionals.”
The College will provide four semesters of necessary coursework to supplement the diploma-registered nursing program offered through the Institute to prepare students for real-world healthcare environments. By integrating foundational, liberal arts courses with specialized nursing instruction and hands-on clinical training, these courses ensure graduates possess the knowledge, critical thinking, and practical skills needed to deliver high-quality patient care in a variety of medical settings.
“Our goal since we took over the School of Nursing was to partner with a premier institute for higher education. Allegheny College has always been at the top of our list, and I cannot be happier to finalize this collaboration,” stated Valerie Waid, Chief Nurse Executive, MMC.
This is one of many ways Allegheny College operates as part of the Meadville community. Allegheny College students and faculty have long partnered with Meadville Medical Center. From the hallmark health coaching program that matches students with patients to contribute to their care plans and act as health advocates, to faculty working with MMC staff, the relationship between the two organizations has been substantial for many decades.
“Our excitement to partner with MMC and their innovative new programs and offerings is just another example of Allegheny College working collaboratively to strengthen the region’s workforce and economic development, something we deeply believe in as a school.” said Provost Dearden.
MMC took over the School of Nursing in 2024 when the then owner, Steward Health Care System, filed for bankruptcy. “The school had been in the Sharon community for more than 100 years. In that time, thousands of students have graduated and gone on to make a huge impact in our community. Moving the school to Meadville, and preserving its impressive history, has been so rewarding,” stated Crystal Brest, MSN, RN, Sharon School of Nursing Director. Had MMC not taken over the school, students who were enrolled would not have had the opportunity to graduate.
About Allegheny College
Allegheny College, founded in 1815, is one of the nation’s most historic and innovative four-year colleges with the distinct requirement of completing a major and minor in different academic areas. This multidisciplinary learning celebrates students’ unusual combinations of interests and provides creative, independent thinkers with a path for educational depth and intellectual growth, preparing them for a successful launch after graduation and possibly for careers that may not yet exist. Located in western Pennsylvania, 1.5 hours equidistant from Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Buffalo, Allegheny College is one of 40 colleges featured in Loren Pope’s “Colleges That Change Lives” and recently ranked #4 by The Princeton Review in its Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact. In its 2025 rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Allegheny College as one of the country’s top 100 national liberal arts colleges, with special distinctions including one of the top 10 best for senior capstone experience and one of the top 25 best for undergraduate research and creative activities.
