Spotlight: Jose Candelario, Chair of the General Education Department 

By Jose Candelario, DC, MS, MEd, Phd(c), MBA(c) 

I’m grateful for the opportunity to share a little about myself for this month’s Spotlight. I joined AUHS in December 2024, and what immediately drew me here—and continues to inspire me every day—is the university’s faith-based mission. In the world of science and healthcare, it is incredibly rare to find a place where rigorous scientific education and Christian values stand side by side in genuine harmony. AUHS does this with excellence, and that integration of faith, purpose, compassion, and science was exactly what I had been searching for. 

AUHS is a Christian-based, minority-serving university committed to preparing students for impactful and purpose-filled careers in the healthcare profession. Its unwavering emphasis on faith in God, service to others, and developing stewards of purpose resonates deeply with me. I am humbled to serve at an institution where these values guide not only our curriculum but also the way we care for, support, and walk alongside our students. 

A Community Built on Collaboration 

One of the greatest strengths of AUHS is the remarkable collaboration that exists across the entire institution—from ownership and presidency to the provost, COO, student services, the School of Pharmacy, the School of Nursing, the School of Medicine, and our dedicated General Education faculty and staff. It is rare to find a university where every department works in such unity, with genuine care for students and a shared commitment to their success. This spirit of collaboration creates an environment where students are surrounded by support, encouragement, and purpose. 

I am especially grateful for the daily biblical discussions that faculty share with students in their courses. For me, it has been a revelation to teach in a place where we can openly talk about God and science together. Integrating Scripture into scientific learning reinforces that faith and reason are not separate but beautifully interconnected. These moments help students see their studies not just as academic work, but as part of their calling, identity, and purpose. 

I am also moved by our administrative prayer devotions—moments that ground our work, keep our hearts aligned with God’s purpose, and remind us that we are here to serve with humility, compassion, and grace. 

Another deeply meaningful part of the AUHS community is our commitment to outreach. Through the university’s many community events, students gain hands-on volunteer experience—feeding the homeless, serving families in need, and participating in faith-based acts of compassion such as washing the feet of others. These experiences reflect the heart of AUHS’s mission and remind us of the biblical truth: “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). Our students not only learn how to care academically—they learn how to care spiritually, practically, and compassionately.  

I am equally grateful for our partnership with AURA IB, where our emerging STEM pathways help prepare future AUHS students for purposeful careers in healthcare and reinforce the same mission-driven values across both institutions. Additionally, AUHS and its sister institutions, AURA, and the American Theological University, are creating a center of excellence where the focus is on how our students from AUHS can be prepared to serve the mental health of our community members with data driven research.  

My Focus at AUHS 

My focus here at AUHS is to strengthen the academic foundation of our students by cultivating a positive, motivated, and faith-driven learning culture. I aim to support students in mastering the sciences—anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pathophysiology—while also helping them develop the discipline, confidence, and consistency needed to excel as healthcare professionals. 

A core part of my mission is ensuring that every student feels valued, seen, and genuinely cared for. When students feel they matter, they rise. And in that process, they learn how to care for their future patients with the same respect, empathy, and dignity that they themselves experienced. This recognition shapes both their academic journey and their professional identity.