Health Tech Connect Camp Launched

In June 2025, a group of 19 local high school students participated in the School of Nursing’s first Health Tech Connect Camp, a weeklong program designed to introduce them to potential careers in the healthcare industry.

Conducted in partnership with St. Tammany Health System and powered by a grant from CLECO, the camp was held at the St. Tammany Academic Center in Covington, which is outfitted with mock hospital rooms complete with beds and other specialized equipment in addition to classroom space.

Campers said they were impressed by the variety of career paths available at Southeastern, with some nursing classes available at the St. Tammany Academic Center in Covington and clinical training opportunities available at St. Tammany Parish Hospital.

Campers experienced many hands-on learning opportunities, including how to assess and record a patient’s vital signs, how to administer CPR, and how to start an IV drip. They also received a tour of St. Tammany Health System’s flagship St. Tammany Parish Hospital and a tour of Southeastern’s main campus, including the state-of-the-art simulation and skills labs available in the School of Nursing.

Donor support helps the college develop new programs such as this to increase awareness and access to healthcare education, diversifying the regional workforce. Funds for programs like Health Tech Connect are an investment in Louisiana’s future healthcare leaders and in healthier communities across the state.