A&T, GCS Launch Transformative Healthcare Leadership Course with BHLI

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 8, 2025) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has partnered with the Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute (BHLI) and Guilford County Schools to launch a groundbreaking course designed to educate and inspire the next generation of healthcare leaders.

The course, “Health Systems Management Introduction to Health Professions,” introduces students to a wide range of healthcare careers, with a special emphasis on leadership, equity and innovation. It incorporates BHLI’s signature “Be the Change” model, developed by BHLI Founder and President John W. Bluford, a nationally recognized healthcare executive and change agent.

Students gathered for the inaugural speaker series Thursday, Sept. 4, when they were joined by Bluford and his team. During his visit, Bluford shared personal stories of leadership, resilience and vision drawn from his decades-long career transforming public hospitals across the country.

“You don’t have to be a doctor or a nurse to make a major impact and have a healthcare-related career,” said Bluford. “I was lucky enough to get an opportunity. But opportunity can come and hit you in the face — the key is to be prepared to take advantage of it. Maximize your return on luck.”

Bluford’s message resonated deeply with the class, which includes 21 high school students from Guilford County Schools’ STEM Early College and A&T Four Middle College, both located on N.C. A&T’s campus. The remaining students are undergraduates in the health services management program, which is housed in the John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences.

Throughout the semester, students will engage with prominent healthcare leaders, like chief legal officers, global public health experts and other executives of major healthcare systems. These interactions are designed to expose students to the breadth of opportunities in healthcare management and to cultivate leadership skills early in their academic journeys.

In a powerful gesture of support, each high school student received a free laptop, provided through a collaboration between BHLI and Best Buy. The laptops will be used throughout the course and are theirs to keep upon completion.

“Today’s event highlights the importance of engaging and inspiring students early in their career pathways to explore the amazing variety of opportunities in healthcare,” said Catherine White, Ph.D., associate professor of biology and pre-professional scholars program director. “It was incredibly encouraging for our team to see students connect so genuinely with Mr. Bluford and his remarkable story. We are excited to build more partnerships that offer this kind of meaningful exposure to our high school and college students.”

This initiative reflects N.C. A&T’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, educational equity, and workforce development in the healthcare sector. By connecting high school and college students with real-world leaders and resources, the university is helping shape a more inclusive and visionary future for healthcare.