Fayetteville State University (FSU) just received a generous $2 million donation from Cape Fear Valley Health. This funding aims to enhance student success and train future healthcare professionals in North Carolina.
Alongside the announcement, FSU proudly renamed its School of Nursing to the Cape Fear Valley School of Nursing, celebrating the strong partnership between the university and the health system.
During the announcement, several key figures spoke, including FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison and Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Mike Nagowski. They emphasized how this initiative will provide students with modern facilities and training, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the urgent nursing needs in the state.
This donation builds on prior support, such as a $900,000 investment made by Cape Fear Valley Health in July 2025 to create a Health and Wellness Center. This facility will offer comprehensive wellness services to students, faculty, and staff.
With the healthcare workforce in North Carolina facing a significant shortage, the collaboration between FSU and Cape Fear Valley Health serves as a crucial step in preparing skilled nurses. According to the North Carolina Health News, there are thousands of vacant nursing positions across hospitals and clinics statewide, highlighting the importance of such initiatives.
In his remarks, North Carolina Speaker of the House Rep. Destin Hall reiterated the urgent need for more nurses, particularly in rural areas. He stated, “Expanding programs like the Cape Fear Valley School of Nursing at Fayetteville State is critical in meeting that demand.”
Cape Fear Valley Health aims to strengthen this partnership further, supporting local students interested in healthcare careers. “Today’s nursing students are tomorrow’s healthcare professionals,” Nagowski noted, emphasizing the importance of providing quality training opportunities.
FSU leaders are already working to expand their nursing program. They are collaborating with the North Carolina Board of Nursing to boost enrollment and hire more faculty. Enrollment in nursing tracks increased from 844 in 2023 to 984 in 2025. Nearly 500 graduates, including over 340 registered nurses, have joined the workforce since 2022.
The nursing program at FSU is gaining recognition, recently ranking No. 249 nationally by U.S. News & World Report and being named the top nursing program among historically Black colleges and universities in 2025 by Nurse.org.
Efforts to address the nursing shortage are part of a larger initiative by the UNC System. In July 2024, nearly $29 million in grants were awarded to expand nursing education across public universities, with FSU receiving $2 million for its initiatives.
Chancellor Allison underscored the impact of these investments: “It means more students gain access to high-quality training facilities. This leads to healthier families and stronger communities.”
With this support, the Cape Fear Valley School of Nursing is not just a name; it’s a promise to students and the community. FSU is paving the way for a brighter future in healthcare education.
Source link
