It’s a competitive world out there.
Today, more people are called to be Doctors of Chiropractic than ever before. And those students have more options for how and where they pursue their education.
Couple this with a looming “demographic cliff” that predicts a 15% reduction in college-age students beginning in 2025, and it’s clear that institutions must work harder than ever to keep up with student expectations and provide the resources they need to succeed, both in the classroom and beyond.
Fortunately, Palmer College of Chiropractic has been prioritizing student success and experience from the beginning, from student residential life and club sports to health and career services.
At Palmer, students find the best chiropractic education in the world — and that’s just the beginning.
“As the profession grows and four-year colleges begin to add chiropractic programs, we face more competition than ever. Investing in the student experience is an investment in the future of the College and our vision for a world of unlimited health and human potential.”
Some students are drawn to Palmer because of its rich traditions. Others are attracted to the field-leading training and facilities. The College’s task is to listen to students and maintain an atmosphere that exceeds expectations.
To ensure that Palmer College remains The Trusted Leader for Chiropractic Education®, the College administration and Board of Trustees continue to study and invest in student success and engagement.
Key to the College’s mission to supercharge the student experience has been the appointment of Abbey Nagle-Kuch as the new dean of student affairs. Nagle-Kuch is a fifth-generation Quad Citian who recently celebrated her 11th year at Palmer. Her time on campus began in the Office of Financial Planning, and Nagle-Kuch is uniquely suited to connect students with College resources and to the broader community.
“I think about our work like a great hotel,” says Nagle-Kuch. “Students are here for only a short time, and we want to make sure they have everything they need to have a successful, memorable, and meaningful Palmer experience. That small window is where we can foster a sense of belonging — it’s where their connection to our history and their lifelong feeling of belonging begins.”
The Board of Trustees, Dr. Marchiori, and the administration put the student experience at the heart of Palmer’s strategic plan. Through her leadership, Nagle-Kuch nurtures a culture of support for students and their learning, while igniting students’ lifelong connection to Palmer College.
Learning Happens Everywhere
A glance at Tyanna Washa’s calendar would make most eyes go wide. Classes, lectures, clubs, basketball, exams, study groups… the list goes on. How to prioritize what’s “important”? Well, for the seventh-trimester student, it’s all important, and there’s no real distinction between extracurricular activities and her education.
“All the opportunities that Palmer offers support my goal of becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic,” says Tyanna. “Our clubs gave me a jump start on hands-on learning, and I built relationships with faculty and uppertrimester students that have helped me as I move through the program. So much of my learning has happened in these interactive, informal, and social settings.”
Studies echo Tyanna’s experience. Research reveals that extracurricular activities and opportunities for social engagement improve retention, foster academic success, and provide valuable interpersonal training for students.
Palmer is investing in student success both in the classroom and beyond because great chiropractors are not only masters of technique and philosophy — they are also skilled at connecting with patients, educating their communities, and sharing their knowledge with others.
“Palmer students are not just training to be Doctors of Chiropractic,” says Kaitlin Clevenger, director of student experience on the Main campus. “They are training to be business owners, entrepreneurs, advocates, mentors and so much more. The events and opportunities we create are fulfilling that part of their learning — they can also provide students with much-needed relief, letting them take a quick break from their formal studies.”
Clevenger is new to her role but not to Palmer. Her mother, Lora Schroeder, worked at the College for 36 years. “Palmer has always been like a second home to me. I’m honored to take on this role and share my family’s love for the College with our students.” Clevenger is part of a dedicated team of professionals in student services operating on both campuses, including Jason Brewer, dean of students on the Florida campus. From that unforgettable first step on campus to graduation day, the student affairs team creates an atmosphere that fosters learning, personal growth, and career success for every student.
That’s part of the reason why Palmer enrollment has grown by 25% in the past four years, why Palmer students are leading the field in licensing exam results, and why Palmer’s more than 31,000 alumni remain connected and passionate about the College.
Breaking the Mold and Leading the Way for Student Success
Palmer administration is constantly tuned into what’s unfolding on the higher education landscape. However, when you’re the first, biggest, and best College in a specialized field, you can’t always follow the trends.
You create them.
“At a typical college, for example, a career center is guiding students toward countless options,” says Jacque Bollinger, one of Palmer’s two coordinators of the Career Development Centers on the Davenport and Port Orange campuses. “At Palmer, we’re working with students in a completely different way. We do look at what other colleges are doing, but Palmer students are exceptional, so we must think differently about how to support them.”
Bollinger and her counterpart in Florida, Bethany Garrett, D.C. (`14), work to get students to start thinking about their careers as early as possible. Checklists for each academic term provide students with goals so that by the time they reach graduation, they have already been creating a plan, connecting with mentors, and envisioning what their careers might look like. One challenge at Palmer, says Bollinger, can be the sheer number of resources.
“Palmer students have access to so many tools, opportunities, experts, and resources,” she says. “Our role in student affairs is to make sure they get connected and that they capitalize on what the College has to offer them.”
Students are connecting with Palmer like never before, thanks to the perfect blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology. The newly unveiled Palmer Plexus platform is not only revolutionizing connection for alumni — it also provides a hub for student organizations, clubs, and events. Through Plexus, students can connect with each other and with campus resources like never before.
Nagle-Kuch says that Plexus is taking the collegiality, passion, and sense of belonging that have always defined Palmer and translating them into a digital platform that’s familiar and accessible to students. “We’ve included students all along the way as we roll out Plexus,” she says. “The platform is going to allow our student affairs team to communicate, collect information, and engage students more effectively than ever. It’s one more way Palmer is leading the way and making sure today’s students can engage with our shared values.”
Building a Lifetime Connection
Ultimately, students come to Palmer College for chiropractic training. However, that training is not confined to the lecture hall or even the clinic. The Palmer Experience is holistic and extends to all facets of student life.
For Student Julian Eric Lopez, a day on campus might include classes, a shift at the student union, and maybe even a few swings on the golf simulator. Extracurricular activities provide balance. They’re also where some of his most important relationships have been built.
“This has been an unforgettable chapter of my life,” says Julian. “At Palmer, I’ve been pushed to be my best, and I’ve found relationships that will follow me forever. All the outlets that Palmer provides and everything I do outside of the classroom have helped me understand the bigger picture of being a chiropractor — it has all helped me to achieve my ultimate goal, to become a Doctor of Chiropractic and serve patients.”
This is what separates Palmer College from the field and lifts Palmer graduates to the top of the profession. Students like Julian understand that being a Doctor of Chiropractic is more than a 9-5.
“Chiropractic is a calling,” says Dr. Marchiori. “It’s a career that takes your whole self at its best. Making sure our students can be their best, find balance, and have a community that feels like home is all part of educating the greatest chiropractors on the planet.”
