We, the undersigned students, families, and community members, are calling on Sentara College of Health Sciences (SCOHS) to honor its commitment to currently enrolled students and ensure that all those affected by recent program changes are allowed to graduate through Sentara College without forced transfers, loss of credits, or disruption to our academic progress.

On April 17, 2025, Sentara College of Health Sciences announced significant changes to both nursing and non-nursing degree programs. The college expressed its intention to partner with external academic institutions to allow students to complete their education. However, details about these partnerships-including the names of the institutions, graduation timelines, and accreditation status-remain unclear. While we understand that Sentara is working to align its programs with the evolving healthcare workforce needs, these changes should not come at the expense of current students who have already invested significant time, effort, and finances into their education at SCOHS.

The complete lack of communication from the decision-makers at SCOHS has only deepened our frustration. Despite the urgent need for clarity, students have been left without essential information. During a recent meeting, a college representative was present, but was unable to provide meaningful answers to our questions about the changes. To date, we have yet to hear directly from those responsible for making the decisions, leaving students uncertain about the future of our education. This ongoing breakdown in communication is deeply concerning, as it has created uncertainty about the continuity of our programs and our ability to move forward confidently in our academic careers.

This lack of clarity is especially troubling as Sentara College continues to require payment of tuition and fees for the upcoming fall semester, with no guarantee that classes will proceed as originally planned or that students will be able to graduate from Sentara College. This uncertainty places an unfair financial burden on students, many of whom are already dealing with the emotional and academic strain of an uncertain future.

Furthermore, many dedicated professors and faculty members remain committed to helping students fulfill state board requirements and obtain licensure. These faculty members, alongside students, have worked diligently and in good faith. However, the actions (or lack thereof) by SCOHS administration are undermining the trust and professionalism that have characterized the student-faculty relationship. The failure to adequately support students only intensifies the frustration and uncertainty surrounding this transition.

As part of Sentara Health, a health system that reported over $13 billion in operating revenue in 2024 (self-reported: https://www.sentara.com/aboutus/news/facts-and-figures Sentara College is in a unique position to prioritize the academic success and well-being of its students. Given its substantial financial resources, Sentara Health has the capacity to provide the necessary infrastructure and support to ensure that students are not left in limbo or forced to transfer to programs that may not meet their academic or professional needs.

Students have made substantial commitments to Sentara College, trusting its 130-year legacy and its promise of quality education. We chose Sentara College for its reputation for excellence and its commitment to offering flexible, rigorous educational programs. Now, faced with uncertainty and the possibility of forced transfers or delayed graduation timelines, we find this situation unfair and an ethical breach of the trust we placed in the institution.

Many of us have exhausted critical financial resources, including GI Bill benefits and federal student aid, and are constrained by personal and family obligations that make extending our academic timelines unfeasible. We chose Sentara College specifically for its flexibility to accommodate students with diverse needs. Forcing us to conform to another program’s structure, timeline, or location is simply not feasible for many students. A forced transfer could delay graduation, incur additional costs, and may not guarantee seamless credit transfers. For many, this would mean sacrificing our education, career plans, and financial stability-something we simply cannot afford given our personal, financial, and family constraints.

We urge Sentara College leadership to take immediate action to address our concerns, honor its commitment to students, and provide us with the clarity and support needed to finish our degrees as originally promised.

We Formally Request The Following:
1. Allow all current students to graduate through Sentara College without being forced to transfer to an external institution, ensuring no credits are lost and graduation timelines are met.
2. Ensure the faculty is supported, and that professors have the resources needed to help students meet licensure and academic requirements.
3. Prioritize academic integrity by ensuring that any changes made do not diminish the quality or rigor of the education provided by Sentara College.
4. Provide students with a direct line of communication throughout this process with someone in a decision-making position at Sentara Health, rather than relying solely on the liaison model through our school’s president given that they have not been receiving clear, timely, or transparent information.