Sentara-VWU Student Notification

Virginia Wesleyan University Acquisition of Sentara College of Health Sciences

March 30, 2026

TO: All Prospective Students of Sentara College of Health Sciences

FROM: Dr. Angela Taylor, President, Sentara College of Health Sciences / Dr. Scott D. Miller, President, Virginia Wesleyan University

RE: Sentara College of Health Sciences Change in Ownership Announcement

Big News and What It Means for You

As you may be aware, Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU) and Sentara Health are expanding their academic partnership in an exciting way: VWU will acquire the educational programs and assets of Sentara College of Health Sciences (SCOHS) through an asset acquisition to be completed on June 30, 2026. From that point forward, SCOHS will be owned and controlled by Virginia Wesleyan University, which will be renamed Batten University, effective July 1, 2026. Until the U.S. Department of Education approves the transaction, SCOHS will continue to operate as a separate institution and as an operating division of VWU. We anticipate VWU's accreditor (SACSCOC) and SCOHS's accreditor (ABHES) will maintain the same treatment.

This notice provides key facts about the planned transaction, answers common questions prospective students may have, and explains what this change could mean for you if you choose to enroll.

What is Happening and Why?

VWU and Sentara Health have worked together for years to prepare students for careers in healthcare. This transaction takes that partnership to the next level by bringing SCOHS nursing and health sciences programs fully under the VWU/Batten University umbrella. The goal is straightforward: a stronger, better-resourced academic home for health sciences students, backed by the clinical depth of Sentara Health and the academic breadth of a full liberal arts university.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What exactly is happening in plain terms?

VWU is acquiring the academic programs and assets of SCOHS. After the transaction closes and all required regulatory approvals are obtained, SCOHS will become part of VWU (soon to be known as Batten University). This is an asset acquisition – VWU is acquiring SCOHS's educational programs, not a separate corporate merger of two institutions.

Q2: Will this happen all at once?

No. Federal regulations require the transaction to proceed in two steps.

Step One occurs when the transaction closes. At that point, VWU acquires SCOHS, but for purposes of U.S. Department of Education oversight and administration of federal financial aid programs, SCOHS will continue to be treated as a separate, degree‑granting institution with its own accreditation and state authorization. Step One concludes once all required regulatory approvals are received, including approval from the U.S. Department of Education as a change in ownership.

Step Two begins after the Department of Education approves the change in ownership. At that point, VWU/Batten University plans to apply to add SCOHS as an additional location of VWU/Batten University. Once those approvals are received, SCOHS will become a fully integrated part of Batten University.

Q3: How does Step One affect me as a SCOHS student right now?

If you enroll at Sentara College of Health Sciences during Step One:

• You would enroll as a student of Sentara College of Health Sciences.
• Your courses, curriculum, and instructional delivery would follow the approved SCOHS programs.
• Faculty, clinical experiences, and program requirements would remain consistent with published program materials.
• Your eligibility for federal financial aid would be administered under SCOHS’s existing approval.
• If you will be a student covered by an institutional Consortium Agreement, Sentara Health and VWU will continue to provide you all of the same support and communications.

Any changes that could affect admitted or enrolled students would be communicated clearly and in advance.

Q4: How does Step Two affect me?

If Step Two approvals are received while you are enrolled, you would transition to being a student of Batten University. Your academic program, faculty, clinical partnerships with Sentara Health, and path to graduation would continue. Additional details about how that transition would work in practice would be shared as plans are finalized.

Q5: What will my degree say – which institution grants it?

This depends on when you complete your program:

• If you complete your program before Step Two is approved, your degree would be conferred by Sentara College of Health Sciences.
• If you complete your program after Step Two is approved, your degree would be conferred by Batten University (formerly Virginia Wesleyan University).

Q6: What about accreditation – will my program still be accredited?

Yes. SCOHS is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), and VWU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Both accreditors have been notified of the planned transaction, and program‑level accreditations for nursing and health sciences programs are expected to be maintained.

Q7: What happens to my financial aid?

Eligible students may apply for federal financial aid through existing programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Financial aid administration will continue in accordance with applicable approvals during the Department of Education’s review process.

Q8: What does the Sentara clinical partnership look like going forward?

Clinical education through Sentara Health remains a core component of these programs. The planned transaction is intended to strengthen, not reduce, access to Sentara’s clinical training environments.

Q9: Will the programs move to a different campus or location?

Details regarding physical locations and campus arrangements will be shared as plans are finalized. Students would receive advance notice of any changes that affect instructional or clinical locations.

Q10: Where can I get more information or ask a question?

• Contact us directly: studentsuccess@sentara.edu

A Note on Timing

Please be aware that all information in this notice is subject to change based on requirements of the U.S. Department of Education, the Virginia State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV), SACSCOC, ABHES, and any applicable program accreditors. We are committed to keeping you informed at every step.

The Bottom Line

We know that news about institutional changes can feel uncertain. Our commitment to you is simple: your education comes first, your path to graduation remains on track, and this partnership is designed to give health sciences students more – more resources, more clinical access, and a stronger credential. We are excited about what this means for you and for healthcare in this region, and we will be with you every step of the way.

This notice is being provided to prospective students of Sentara College of Health Sciences pursuant to U.S. Department of Education regulatory requirements applicable to a change in ownership.