Sharon Richardson, Campus Executive Director, West Coast University-Miami

In an interview with Invest:, Sharon Richardson, campus executive director of the West Coast University Miami campus, highlighted the school’s focus on student success, innovation, and community impact. She emphasized resources like the Student Assistance Program to support academic and personal growth. Richardson also stressed the importance of integrating technology and employer feedback into the curriculum. “We understand it’s about doing what’s in the best interest of our students,” she said.

What have been the most significant milestones and achievements for West Coast University in Miami over the past year?

Over the past year, I’ve looked at West Coast University from a broader perspective. The university as a whole has four campuses in California, one in Texas, and of course, one in Miami. Across all campuses, we have over 58,000 graduates  working in the healthcare industry.

For Miami specifically, last year marked our 10th anniversary here in the Miami community and that is a very significant achievement for us.

Another highlight is that we’ve moved beyond COVID, with students fully back on campus. The demand for nurses in our community remains high, and we expect continued growth in the industry. These are some of the key milestones worth noting.

How has the demand for nursing, healthcare, and business education evolved over the past year, and what trends are shaping the higher education landscape?

When it comes to growth, although COVID was five years ago, we are still feeling its effects. From 2020 to 2023, we saw a decline in the nursing workforce as many nurses retired or chose to leave bedside care. However, a positive trend is that many of these nurses are now transitioning into higher education, which is exactly what we need. Another shift we’re seeing is that nurses who worked through COVID are now reintegrating into their communities.

For new nurses, onboarding remains a challenge. However, West Coast University — specifically our Miami campus — has done an excellent job building strong partnerships with hospitals. We’ve aligned our curriculum to ensure students are fully prepared to enter the workforce immediately after completing their program and passing the NCLEX exam.

To address workforce shortages in healthcare, we have established strong hospital partnerships in the region. Here in Miami, we offer both an Associate Degree of Nursing Program and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. To ensure our students are being prepared to current industry standards, we have a Program Advisory Committee that includes Deans of Nursing, Chief Nursing Officers, and hiring partners. This committee plays a key role in identifying challenges hospitals face and helping us bridge those gaps. By implementing curriculum adjustments, we ensure our graduates are workforce-ready from day one, ultimately reducing onboarding time for new nurses.

How is technology shaping online education and your programs?

We are fortunate that West Coast University as a whole has access to extensive resources, including four campuses in California, one in Texas and an advanced innovation lab that looks for new ways to enhance our student learning experience. Here in Miami, we leverage this lab to create high-quality instructional videos. For example, one of our instructors, , collaborated with the innovation lab to produce step-by-step med math dosage calculation videos. These videos help students master dosage calculations, a critical skill for passing their exams and excelling in nursing. 

We also incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and Augmented/Virtual reality (VR) into our programs. In our science classes, we utilize HoloLens technology, which are Augmented Reality-powered goggles that allow students to virtually dissect anatomical structures, making learning more interactive and immersive. Additionally, our simulation lab is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in the areas of teaching and education, establishing a high-quality training environment.

In Miami, we have a 5,000-square-foot simulation lab equipped with high-fidelity manikins and a Pyxis  system. The lab features four hospital-like rooms complete with hospital beds, IV devices, and medication dispensing systems. Its technologically advanced audiovisual setup records all sessions, allowing students to review their performance.  This is where they have a safe place to practice, learn, and improve.

The lab is designed to simulate a live hospital environment that can care for various scenarios such as but not limited to med-surg, pediatrics, maternity and mental health. We leverage scenarios feedback from our Program Advisory Committee and align with accreditation standards, ensuring that students receive the most relevant and effective training possible.

What factors are driving student engagement on your campus, and how are you enhancing the student experience while boosting enrollment?

I believe it comes down to both our backend and frontend efforts. West Coast University, particularly on the West Coast, has a strong brand, and we are steadily building that same recognition in Miami. What truly sets us apart is our student-centered approach to education and the learning environment we provide our students. The Miami campus is focused on one primary goal: helping students complete their degree programs in preparation to take and pass the NCLEX on their first attempt, allowing them to  successfully launch careers in healthcare or nursing. This backend commitment drives our frontend success.

In 2024, our BSN NCLEX pass rate was 89.11% first-time pass rate. — an impressive milestone. Additionally, last year, we assisted approximately 94% of our graduates enter into the workforce. These strong results distinguish West Coast University from others.

From the moment students enroll, they are assigned a dedicated advisor who supports them throughout their nursing journey. Our commitment doesn’t end at graduation. We continue to guide students until they pass the NCLEX and enter the industry.

This support extends beyond South Florida. With campuses and brand recognition in California and Texas, we have successfully placed students across Central and North Florida as well. The entire organization works together to help our graduates find opportunities wherever they choose to build their careers.

What are the biggest opportunities in healthcare to drive growth and innovation in higher education?

Some of the biggest things to achieve growth in higher education, specifically for Miami, is recognizing it’s not one-size-fits-all. We’re seeing students come to nursing school to one day open and own beauty spas, which require a nursing license. Traditionally, nursing has been seen as working in hospital facilities, but that’s no longer the case. The field is expanding across the healthcare industry, including spas, hydro bars, and cosmetics. We’re seeing opportunities in many different areas.

What are West Coast University’s top priorities and strategic goals for the next two to three years?

Growth will always be top of mind. I truly believe we have something special here at West Coast University. As I mentioned before, everyone on this campus is united by a single goal: to help students become a healthcare professional. Our focus is entirely student-centric, and that commitment comes from the top down — from our shareholder to campus security. We all understand that our priority is doing what’s best for our students.

One of my goals is for West Coast University to be as well-known in South Florida as it is on the West Coast. I want people to recognize West Coast University, Miami. As we continue prioritizing our students, our mission extends beyond preparing them to become healthcare professionals. We are also focused on their broader contributions to the economy and community. How can we help them grow into better professionals and individuals? That’s an important opportunity for us in the coming years.

We must also stay engaged with technology, including AI. It’s crucial that we get our students and faculty to stay involved with our innovation lab and continue working closely with our Program Advisory Committee. This ensures we stay connected with employers, understand their needs, and integrate those insights into our curriculum, and ultimately prepare our graduates to be workforce-ready from day one.