Lewis Appointed Interim Dean of CHSHS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 15, 2018
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Dr. Sally Lewis has been named interim dean of Tarleton State University’s College of Health Sciences and Human Services. She begins her new role Aug. 1, following the retirement of Dr. David Weissenburger.
Lewis currently serves as the college’s inaugural associate dean and is a professor of medical laboratory sciences and public health.
Tarleton added the College of Health Sciences and Human Services — its sixth college — in fall 2016 to better serve almost 2,000 students enrolled in already successful, established programs in medical lab sciences, public health, social work, counseling and nursing. The college offers programs at its Stephenville campus as well as outreach centers in Fort Worth, Waco and Midlothian and via its online Global Campus.
“Dr. Lewis is widely recognized for her leadership to engage and inspire efforts that improve health and human services,” said Tarleton Provost Karen Murray. “Her institutional leadership, academic excellence and dedication to student success will ensure that our health sciences and human services programs continue to rate among the best in the state and the nation.”
Under Lewis’ leadership as director of Tarleton’s Department of Medical Lab Sciences and Public Health — a position she held for 13 years — the number of programs in the department grew from one to six, with more than 200 students annually earning associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, and certificates.
Collectively, students enrolled in medical lab and public health programs have earned a 99 percent pass rate and some of the highest scores in the nation on board exams over the past 20 years. Routinely, 100 percent of graduating students find jobs in top medical facilities throughout North Texas and beyond, or continue their education.
A full professor, Lewis has brought in more than $1.2 million in grants and donations to support Tarleton’s medical lab and public health programs, creating scholarships and maintaining state-of-the-art teaching laboratories for faculty to provide students with real-world experiences. Her emphasis on faculty and student scholarly pursuits within the department resulted in award-winning research and multiple grants.
“It is an enormous privilege and pleasure to be asked to serve as the interim dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services at Tarleton,” she said. “Programs in our college graduate the highest quality of health care professionals by integrating teaching, innovative research and extensive opportunities for applied-learning experiences. I look forward to continuing and expanding our legacy of excellence.”
Lewis has a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of North Texas, a master’s degree in biology from Texas Christian University and a bachelor’s in zoology and physiology from Louisiana State University. She chairs the Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects and serves on several committees and task forces at Tarleton. Additionally, she is a nationwide site visit coordinator for the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
For more information on Tarleton’s College of Health Sciences and Human Services, go to www.tarleton.edu/chshs.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience, marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. Offering degree programs in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online to more than 13,000 students, Tarleton engages with communities through real-world learning experiences to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.
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Contact: Phil Riddle, News & Information Specialist
817-484-4415
[email protected]
