Dr. Charles “Mac” Powell was chosen as Bastyr University’s newest president earlier this year. Since then, he has collaborated with the community on and off campus to develop a continuing vision for the university.

“I think that the vision should come from the faculty and staff and students,” Powell said.

Through meetings and conferences with faculty, staff, alumni, students and the community, Powell said a decision was reached for the university to focus on attracting world-class students and faculty, seek grants to fund activities and programs, minimize or eliminate tuition increases and collaborate across disciplines internally and with the community in the greater Seattle area.

One way Bastyr is trying to accomplish this is by working with the American Council on Education, a coordinating body for higher education representing more than 1,600 schools, to develop an alternative credit program.

This program allows universities, such as Bastyr and nearly 40 others, to grant credit for more than 110 general education online courses from non-accredited course providers.

“The council program really is the flagship program right now, and it’s exciting for Bastyr to be a part of it,” Powell said.

Powell thinks this program will allow more students to attend Bastyr, which does not offer general education courses.

Bastyr offers courses and degrees in a wide range of subjects including homeopathy, acupuncture and nutrition. Powell said as patients in the area want more choices in their healthcare, the demand for their students will increase.

“We see our programs growing and being successful,” he said. “I see a very fast acceleration curve.”

Bastyr opened a San Diego branch in 2012 and the first wave of graduates will be graduating this spring. Powell is president of both branches, and Bastyr clinics.

The university will be looking at doing distance learning between the two campuses, which already collaborate in many areas, in the near future, Powell said.

This is Powell’s third university presidency, and he previously worked as president at the John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, Calif. So far, he says he enjoys the area.

“Being in a new city is a great opportunity, but it takes a lot of time and energy to get to know everyone,” he said.

He said he and his partner are settling in, and being foodies, they really enjoy the area’s eats.

“The Thai food in Seattle is exceptional,” he said, along with fresh sea food. “It’s been a culinary extravaganza so far.”