Cleveland Chiropractic College's campus in Kansas City, Mo., soon will be pulling up stakes and moving across state lines to Kansas City, Kan.
The total cost of the acquisition is $29 million, which includes a $10-million retrofit for a chiropractic health care center and educational facilities. As part of a plan to partially offset some of this cost, a capital campaign is currently underway, managed by Creative Leadership Solutions.
Commenting on the planned move, Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III, the college's third president and grandson of the founder, said, "With the expansive acreage, this site will accommodate the college's needs through the next 50 years. More space is required to educate the men and women who will meet the growing national demand for chiropractic care." He added that several Kansas City sites were explored to help identify an accessible, large and expandable location.
Overland Park boasts the second-highest U.S. population of residents with college educations, and five other college campuses are located in Overland Park. According to Melissa Denton, Cleveland's director of admissions, this makes the new location ideal for students. "Students are incredibly excited about opportunities at the new facility," she said. "Overland Park is an attractive, vibrant and safe community with affordable housing, award-winning schools, great restaurants and plenty of recreation opportunities - everything a student could want."
Dr. Clark Beckley, a 1975 graduate of the college and director of campus and professional relations, added, "Moving to this highly visible, iconic location immediately elevates the college and the chiropractic profession as well. This move allows for growth and flexibility, as well as exploration into new educational programs."
Even though the campus is moving to the Kansas side of the city, it will continue to serve residents on the Missouri side. The college will continue to operate its Health Center in its current Brookside location, as well as the Cleveland Wellness Center, an interdisciplinary teaching clinic at Truman Medical Center in nearby Lee's Summit, Mo. The college also will continue its residency affiliation with the Kansas City Veterans Administration Hospital.
Cleveland Chiropractic College was incorporated as a nonprofit entity in 1922. Since 1951, it also has operated a campus in Los Angeles. In addition to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree, both campuses offer a bachelor's degree in human biology, an associate's degree in biological sciences, and pre-professional health science courses.