Meet Our Clients
Charles R. Drew University
Custom Solutions
The Project
When the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) put Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science on probationary status
in the summer of 2009, many in the community were concerned because of the University’s unique role in South Los Angeles and other underserved communities.
Mary Odell, President of UniHealth Foundation, a philanthropy deeply committed to the health and wellness of the underserved and a longtime supporter of Drew, knew just what to do: she called ESC. Drew’s leadership jumped at the opportunity UniHealth provided and worked with their ESC team to put together a detailed plan to address WASC’s critical concerns regarding the University’s governance, financial, academic, and quality control systems. The plan covered Drew’s academics, finances, fundraising, human resources, and both executive and Board development, in addition to creating a strategic plan.
The Result
Working this plan closely with their ESC consultants over the next two years, Drew’s leadership was able to eliminate or greatly rectify each one of the accrediting commission’s many concerns and was returned to fully accredited status July 2011. WASC found the University to be undergoing comprehensive, rapid, and transformative changes, particularly in leadership, governance, and campus culture.
With UniHealth Foundation’s continuing support, ESC is working with Drew for a third year, helping to institutionalize the many changes made and provide continued support to the University’s leadership on its new, stronger path.
“CDU owes a special thanks to ESC for stabilizing the university and helping to make probation-free accreditation a success. ESC was pivotal in providing leadership, mentorship, and guidance to me and many of the CDU senior faculty, administrators, and WASC teams. It would not have happened without them!!!”
Dr. Keith Norris
Interim President (2009-2011)
Current Executive Vice President for Research and Health Affairs
