Local High School Students Explore Health Care Careers at Lindenwood
Lindenwood University recently welcomed 75 students from the St. Charles County Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) program for an interactive visit focused on health care careers.
Hosted in collaboration with Lindenwood’s Nursing program and the Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory (EPNL), the visit gave high school students a hands-on introduction to how Lindenwood prepares students for careers in health and wellness.
A Hands-On Look at Health Care Education
Two groups of CAPS students visited campus on February 20, with sessions running from 8:00–10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rather than relying on traditional presentations, faculty and staff designed the experience to be interactive. Students participated in demonstrations and activities that allowed them to explore real-world applications of health science education.
These experiences highlighted how Lindenwood emphasizes experiential learning across programs such as:
Through these activities, students were able to see how classroom concepts translate into real clinical, laboratory, and performance-based environments.
Exploring the Science Behind Health and Performance
A key part of the visit took place in Lindenwood’s Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory, where students explored the science behind human performance, health, and nutrition.
Facilities like the EPNL allow Lindenwood students in programs such as Exercise Science and Human Performance to work with advanced equipment and gain practical experience studying how the body responds to exercise, nutrition, and training.
This type of experiential learning helps prepare students for careers in areas such as:
- Sports performance and coaching
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Athletic training
- Health care and clinical professions
Strengthening Local Partnerships
The CAPS program offers career-focused pathways to high school students throughout St. Charles County, helping them explore potential professions before graduating.
The health care pathway students who visited Lindenwood were particularly interested in seeing how university programs connect academic learning with real career preparation.
Feedback from CAPS leaders and students was overwhelmingly positive. Many described the visit as one of the most engaging site experiences they have participated in and expressed excitement about returning to campus in the future.
The visit also helped reestablish a connection between Lindenwood and the CAPS program, opening the door for future collaboration. Potential opportunities include:
- Additional campus visits
- Observation opportunities within health programs
- Internship experiences for CAPS students
Inspiring the Next Generation of Health Care Professionals
For Lindenwood, partnerships like this provide an opportunity to connect with students in the surrounding community while showcasing the university’s commitment to hands-on, career-focused education.
For CAPS students, the visit offered a meaningful look at what their future in health care could look like and how Lindenwood’s programs can help them get there.