Building for the Future: Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology

Home / facilities / Page 2
A lab setting nursing simulation.
A computer-generated simulation of nursing students in a classroom.
A computer-generated nursing simulation.
A nursing lab simulation.

Beginning in fall 2026, McDaniel’s Nursing students will have access to Carroll Hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities at The Kahlert Foundation Nursing Education Center.

Inherent in our pursuit of academic excellence and innovation is transforming health care education in our region through the development of new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.), Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.), and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S. in S-LP) programs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the growth in these three careers between 2024 and 2034 would range from 5% to 15%, so to support that workforce demand, McDaniel aims to make a lasting impact on the community’s health and well-being.

The success of these programs depends not only on hiring top-tier faculty but also a commitment to hands-on, practical learning housed in modern facilities that are equipped with simulation laboratories, state-of-the-art technology, and classrooms designed specifically for health care education to create an immersive learning environment that mirrors the rigors and realities of the health care field. Rather than spending tens of millions of dollars on new construction to house these new academic programs, the college is proud to use existing resources and partnerships to maximize our return on investment.

By 2026, the B.S.N. program will be officially based out of Carroll Hospital in The Kahlert Foundation Nursing Education Center, thanks to a landmark partnership between the college and LifeBridge Health and a $2.5 million grant from The Kahlert Foundation. “While there are numerous examples of medical systems that are affiliated with large universities, it is unique for a college to partner with an existing system in this way,” said President Julia Jasken at the announcement of the partnership last October. “We are eager to create a new model designed to create a long-term solution to address the critical need for nurses.”

McDaniel’s Nursing students will have access to Carroll Hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Kahlert Foundation Simulation Center, and be provided early and frequent exposure to clinical work within a hospital setting.

Here on the Hill, construction has begun on renovations in Merritt Hall, which will be the new home of the OT, S-LP, and Early Childhood Education programs. The space will be fitted with new simulation labs, classrooms, and even a mock apartment for OT students to learn how to set up patients for independent living.

While there are numerous examples of medical systems that are affiliated with large universities, it is unique for a college to partner with an existing system in this way. We are eager to create a new model designed to create a long-term solution to address the critical need for nurses.“

PRESIDENT JULIA JASKEN

Investing in McDaniel’s Business Legacy

Investing in McDaniel’s Business Legacy

Home / facilities / Page 2
Renovations to upgrade the Economics and Business Administration Department in Lewis Recitation Hall took place during the summer of 2025.

Built in 1914, Lewis Recitation Hall was the first building constructed on campus following a plan developed by the Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm and is named for President Thomas Hamilton Lewis, who served as the college’s president from 1886 to 1920.

An addition was completed in 1966 and the construction of Lewis Hall of Science to create science laboratories and classrooms for the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics departments occurred in 2001. Lewis Hall of Science is connected by hallways to Lewis Recitation Hall.

The architect behind these renovations is Marshall Craft Associates, Inc., of Baltimore and the general contractor is Harvey Construction of Hunt Valley, Maryland.

This renovation will provide our faculty and staff with a welcoming, inviting space that will truly showcase our business program and makes an incredible difference for current and future McDaniel students.“

FLAVIUS LILY, PROVOST

Funding for the over $600,000 project is entirely supported by donors, including:

Professor Emeritus of Economics and Business Administration Ethan Seidel and McDaniel Trustee Deborah Dale Seidel ’84

James M. Lamont ’80 and McDaniel Trustee Karen Bellamy Lamont ’81

McDaniel Trustee Walter Olson and Steve Pippin, parents of Timothy Olson ’23

Rand Blazer ’72

The late Raymond Albert ’62 and Linda Albert

Accessible Spaces and Friendly Faces: SASS Moves to the Learning Commons

Accessible Spaces and Friendly Faces: SASS Moves to the Learning Commons

Home / facilities / Page 2

Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS) has long been housed in Merritt Hall, but with approximately 30% of McDaniel undergraduate students utilizing SASS accommodations, the office has outgrown its physical space. SASS works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to advance students’ independence, self-advocacy, and full academic potential while enhancing educational outcomes and promoting the recognition of students’ capabilities.

“As the director of SASS since 2014, and a member of the staff since 2011, I’ve witnessed firsthand how our students become self-advocates, scholars, and young professionals, with lasting memories of their home on the Hill,” says Melanie Conley ’91, M.S. ’06, director of SASS.

Now, students registered with SASS will have easier access to other support services like the Writing Center, STEM Center, librarians, IT, student success coaches, and academic deans, all of whom are frequent collaborators with SASS staff.

Iris Levandoski ’27, who is a tutor in both the Writing Center and the STEM Center, is eager for this collaboration to improve thanks to a shared physical space. “Last year, the SASS office and the centers began working together to offer tutoring tailored to students with additional learning needs. While students in the SASS program were able to benefit from the new resource, there were still times when communicating objectives, ideas, or progress via email made reaching a common goal a little difficult,” she says. “Having SASS just across the rotunda will allow for students to receive even better academic support because our location will no longer feel like a barrier to success.” 

The new SASS computer lab and testing center in the Learning Commons is fully equipped with brand-new computers, private testing pods, and more accessible seating spaces with noise reduction, privacy features, and security for testing integrity.

“We’ve found that the environment makes all the difference in students’ willingness to access their support services,” Conley says. “With an accessible, appealing, and friendly environment, SASS aims to make students of all abilities feel comfortable and welcome.”

We’ve found that the environment makes all the difference in students’ willingness to access their support services,” Conley says. “With an accessible, appealing, and friendly environment, SASS aims to make students of all abilities feel comfortable and welcome.“

MELANIE CONLEY, DIRECTOR OF SASS