He overcame challenges: Meet the first Health Sciences major to enter grad school

You could call Columbia International University alumnus Brandon Lee a pace setter. He is the first graduate of CIU’s new Health Sciences program to be accepted into graduate school.

Lee, who crossed the stage of Shortess Chapel at the December 2024 commencement, has been accepted into the Doctorate in Physical Therapy program at Messiah University in Pennsylvania where he’ll begin classes this fall. 

Lee hadn’t thought about his mark in CIU history, but said in a phone interview, “That feels pretty great.”

Lee didn’t start out as a Health Sciences major. He was originally interested in a degree in Sport Management. But in 2022, CIU introduced the Health Sciences major, and during his sophomore year, Lee realized he had a calling from God to assist people who are hurting physically.   

“I really wanted to help people make a transformation from hurt to healing,” Lee said. 

Lee soon found out his new career goal would be a challenge. He said the Health Science classes were “intensive” taught by professors who prepare the students for the realities of the health care industry.  

“They weren’t hesitant to say that having a job in the medical field is very difficult — it’s very competitive and you need to know your stuff,” Lee recalled. “So they weren’t shy to challenge us. They did that on purpose to prepare us for grad school and for working in the medical profession.”

Lee found out just how intensive the required courses were when he failed an anatomy class. But he didn’t give up thanks to his Professor Dr. David Dewitt, the founder of CIU’s Health Science program and the dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. 

“He had a couple talks with me personally,” Lee said. “He told me, ‘I know you can do better. I know you’re smart. You’ve got to work harder and put more effort into studying and learning the material.’ Pushing me helped me realize what I needed to do to pursue physical therapy. It was very impactful for him to do that.”

While the Health Science courses challenged Lee’s mind, he says his favorite class challenged his soul — the Bible’s book of Matthew taught by longtime professor Dr. John Crutchfield.

“I learned a lot in that class. It taught me a lot about Jesus and how to follow Jesus,” Lee said, adding, “Crutchfield is also really funny. It was a really enjoyable class.” 

Lee also found love at CIU. He is engaged to be marred to Vanessa Smith, with whom he spent some time in the science lab. She also graduated in December with a General Studies degree. The wedding is scheduled for May. 

As for the challenges that come with graduate studies while married, Lee says they’ve discussed that. “She’s all in,” Lee said.  

Meanwhile, as he looks back on his time at CIU, Lee hopes the students that come behind him in the Health Sciences will be encouraged by his experience and know they can be successful. 

“I hope that the guys and girls who are in Health Sciences right now will be able to do the same.” 

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