Caress Dean, Ph.D., MPH Caress Dean, Ph.D., MPH
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, Saint Xavier (SXU) President Keith Elder, Ph.D., MPH, MPA, announced in an email to faculty and staff that Caress Dean, Ph.D., MPH, will begin serving as the new Provost of SXU.
Out of the two candidates, Dean stood out the most to the hiring committee.
Adrian Aldrich, Vice President of University Advancement, who led the hiring committee said “She is an inspiring, student-focused leader whose data-informed and mission-driven approach will bring renewed energy and direction to our campus community.”
Dean earned her Ph.D. in Public Health from Saint Louis University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She currently serves as a Chair of Public and Environmental Wellness at Oakland University (MI) and also is a professor of public health there.
“Staff Council is thrilled to welcome [Dr.] Caress Dean to Saint Xavier, and looks forward to working with her, finding new ways to strengthen the unity between faculty and staff, supporting Saint Xavier’s incredible student body,” said James Miller, Associate Director of Career Development.
In an interview with the Xavierite, Elder said “I think what distinguishes [Dr.] Dean from the other candidates in the pool is her history of getting things done in a timely manner. Inside and outside the classroom she’s been a solid, funded scholar. Her ability based upon her record to get things done, is one of the things that influenced the decision.”
Elder shared that much of Dean’s philosophy of education matches the mission of SXU. “I think she lives our mission. She has compassion, and serves generously. I think when folks get to know her, I think they’ll see a person who is intending on collaboration, is mature, and is a wonderful person to depend on to get things done.” said Elder.
Elder continued by stating, “She has a foundation in administration and collaborates and knows how to effectively develop new programs based upon funding.”
Dean has held various leadership positions and has served in countless committees related to strategic planning, enrollment management, recruitment, and experimental learning. She has published twenty-seven journalistic pieces, presented thirty eight conference presentations, and has secured more than $1.6 million in grant funding so far in her years of higher education.
“I look forward to seeing where she takes us,” said Cyndi Grobmeier, Ed.D., Director of Faculty Development.