WellSpring School of Allied Health has closed its three campuses abruptly, leaving massage therapy students in Lawrence and with Kansas Board of Regents-held records uncertain about graduation and next steps only days from finishing their programs.
The Lawrence Times reports that students received an email on June 3 stating the school would close effective immediately due to “financial duress.” Tasha Johnson said she had about two clinic or class days left before expected graduation, while other Lawrence-area students described being days away from completing their certificates when the closure happened.
Students said they were warned of changes months earlier, including a shift in ownership announced for July and a planned Lawrence closure date of June 23, but they received no advance notice of the immediate shutdown. Attempts to reach school owners and support staff were unsuccessful, and students said communications after the abrupt closing were limited.
According to an email sent to students on Wednesday, Kansas students’ records are being held by the Kansas Board of Regents and record transfer is taking longer than expected. Students are also unsure whether completed hours will count toward graduation requirements, whether transcripts will be accepted by other schools, and how they may qualify for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination, which requires students to be currently enrolled or already graduated.