K’Charis Drewery, Campus Executive Director. Rasmussen University

August 2026 —Invest: spoke with K’Charis Drewery, campus executive director of Rasmussen University about healthcare workforce demand, flexible learning, and the university’s role in supporting Tampa Bay’s talent pipeline. “We continue to research the regional needs, and then look at how that affects our market as far as our educational programs, and just continue to work with our community,” Drewery said.

What key changes over the past year have had the biggest impact on Rasmussen University?

Rasmussen University has had to look at how the market has changed, and we continue to see demand for more healthcare employees in the area. Most of the Tampa Bay market is focused on nursing degrees and medical assisting.

We also opened a new campus in Orlando. We have looked at our current markets and what programs need to expand to help communities meet workforce needs. At the Tampa Brandon campus, for example, we have a LPN program to meet the growing need for nurses in Southwest Florida. We have since expanded that weekend LPN offering to our new Orlando and Fort Myers campus locations. 

How are these changes strengthening the college’s role in preparing students for Tampa Bay’s job market?

One thing we do every year for each program is hold advisory boards. We bring in community members, clinical partners, current students, and alumni to talk about our curriculum, hands-on skills, clinical partners, and what we need to improve to continue meeting community needs.

We take that feedback back to our curriculum development team, senior leaders, and healthcare academic leaders to make sure students graduate with the skills they need to find employment that supports their communities and families.

How are you approaching faculty development?

As we continue to grow, we have brought on many new faculty members. We are always looking for new talent because we continue diversifying the experience and skills our faculty bring into the classroom, simulations, and clinical experiences.

We are always looking for individuals to join our team because it helps our students.

What trends are you seeing in higher education and workforce training, particularly around flexible learning?

A lot of students are looking for flexibility because many are working adults with families and other responsibilities. We are looking at how to offer programs in flexible modalities that help students balance those demands.

We also look at transfer credit and second-degree options that help students graduate sooner. We continue investing in different learning opportunities where students can attend lectures, complete skills training on campus, and gain clinical experience.

We want students to experience different clinical settings so they can better understand where they want to work and connect with employers earlier in the process. Ideally, students can secure internships or employment opportunities before graduation.

How are technology and hands-on learning being incorporated into Rasmussen’s programs?

Rasmussen has six locations in Florida as well as an online division offering programs in healthcare, nursing, technology, design, justice studies, health science, education and human services

We continue looking at ways to diversify teaching, improve online classroom systems, and bring in technology that helps staff support students more effectively.

At the campus level, we have a hands-on simulation center with setups for ICU, med-surg, and labor and delivery environments. Students practice in small groups while instructors operate from a control room.

We use high-fidelity mannequins and equipment, and students can later review recordings to evaluate what went well and what they need to improve. That process helps reinforce learning.

What challenges do you see facing higher education institutions today?

One of the biggest challenges is helping students balance everything they have going on. Many students are working adults or have family responsibilities, so they need to understand that the time, energy, and effort they invest now will pay off in the future.

We also try to stay ahead of challenges in the community through advisory boards and other partnerships. We know workforce shortages will continue to grow, so we want to make sure qualified graduates are entering the workforce as quickly as possible.

How is Rasmussen engaging with the Tampa Bay community through partnerships and initiatives?

Each year, we hold a Rasmussen Give Back Day focused on community service. We are also involved in local boards and organizations.

In addition, Rasmussen has alliance relationships with more than 300 organizations. We work with those organizations to understand career opportunities and employee training needs.

One of our newest alliances is with Hilton Grand Vacations. Through that alliance, eligible employees can receive full tuition and fee coverage for select online programs. These alliances help employers support workforce development while helping employees continue their education.

What role does higher education play in supporting Tampa Bay’s economic growth?

We continue investing in our campuses, faculty, simulation centers, and equipment so students receive hands-on training that aligns with workforce demand.

At our Central Pasco campus in Odessa, we brought back our Radiologic Technology Associate’s degree  program to help meet demand. We are always evaluating healthcare needs because healthcare remains one of the fastest-growing areas in the region.

What are your key goals and priorities for the next three to five years?

One priority is student success. We focus on academic support and career guidance to help students see the ROI of their education. We host online career fairs to reach students wherever they are.

Another priority is workforce alignment. We evaluate the needs of the communities around our campuses and adjust programs accordingly.

We also focus on access through hybrid scheduling and flexible programs, such as the LPN weekend program, which allows students to continue working while pursuing their degrees.

We continue to research the regional needs, and then look at how that affects our market as far as our educational programs, and just continue to work with our community.

How are you supporting students as they build relationships with healthcare employers?

We work closely with clinical partners and encourage students to attend career fairs and employer events. Our career services team also helps students with resumes and interview preparation.

We utilize a system called Handshake, where employers can post short videos explaining hiring needs and opportunities. We work to make sure students understand what opportunities are available as they complete their degrees and prepare to enter the workforce.