A Clarkson College Community Health journey rooted in access, equity, and impact
With a busy career as a community pharmacy technician, Elisha Muhleka appreciates the opportunity to bridge frontline patient needs with system-level improvements. Her role has grown over the years to include the coordination of clinical operations and patient access in her current post as Pharmacy Services Program Coordinator for Nebraska Medicine where she values improving access to care by breaking down barriers. She has been able to expand that impact beyond individual patients to larger programs and initiatives.
Now 15 years into her professional career, Elisha is nearing the completion of a Bachelor of Science in Community Health degree at Clarkson College. The flexible, online program is a great fit for her busy schedule, and as a Nebraska Medicine employee, she was able to take advantage of a partnership scholarship.
Elisha explained, “I was drawn to the Community Health program because I wanted to better understand the “why” behind the challenges I saw in healthcare every day - and improve my opportunities for advancement (without going to pharmacy school).”
Working in the pharmacy, she frequently saw patients struggle with medication access, cost barriers, and social needs that extended far beyond the prescription itself. Elisha knew that the work in her degree program would help her “influence change beyond individual encounters and understand systems, policy, and prevention opportunities.” The Community Health program offers a strong connection to real-world healthcare and a focus on practical, applied learning. “I also value the supportive, mentorship-driven environment, which has played a major role in my growth as both a student and a professional,” Elisha stated.
Elisha credits her work at Clarkson College for gaining the valuable skill of learning to think at a systems level. “The program helped me move from solving immediate problems to asking deeper questions about root causes, health equity, and long-term impact,” she explained. In addition to developing stronger skills in critical thinking, research synthesis, and professional communication and networking, Elisha’s involvement in Student Senate and her capstone work have strengthened her leadership skills and confidence, especially in collaborative settings. “Perhaps most importantly,” Elisha stated, “I’ve learned how to translate real-world healthcare challenges into actionable solutions - something I use daily in my professional role.”
For Elisha, one of the biggest strengths of the Clarkson College Community Health program is how connected it is to real-world impact. She has found that the program truly equips students with tools which can be applied in healthcare, nonprofit work, and community leadership. The mentorship and flexibility of the program make it especially valuable for working adults. Elisha shared, “Clarkson College creates an environment where students are seen, supported, and encouraged to grow not just academically, but professionally and personally. For anyone who wants to make a difference in healthcare beyond traditional clinical roles, this program provides a powerful foundation.”
“If you are considering going back to school, trust that it’s worth it,” Elisha continued, “even if the timing isn’t perfect. Many of us are balancing work, family, and school, and that can feel overwhelming at first. But education has a way of opening doors you didn’t even know existed. My advice is to start with your “why” and let that push you through the challenging moments. Also, don’t underestimate the importance of support systems - professors, advisors, and classmates truly want you to succeed. Progress doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful - even part-time status is a step forward.”
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Upon the completion of her degree, Elisha plans to continue working at the intersection of healthcare operations, public health, and policy. She has a special interest in improving access to care and addressing social determinants of health through system-level innovation. She hopes to lean on her experience at Clarkson College to design programs that make healthcare more equitable and easier to navigate for patients and families. Whether in healthcare leadership, policy work, or community partnerships, Elisha’s goal will be to contribute to solutions that create lasting, meaningful impact at both the organizational and community level.
Balancing school, work, and family hasn’t always been easy, but it has made Elisha’s journey incredibly meaningful. At her home in Avoca, Nebraska, Elisha, her husband, and their four children stay busy with a variety of community and family activities. She enjoys coaching youth soccer, volunteering with the Cass County Community Emergency Response Team (an organization she discovered at Clarkson College), and spending time reading and relaxing outdoors.
