Dr. Susan Hannam,  Dean

Welcome to the College of Health, Environment, and Science!  

Our College is home to outstanding programs in both the health and human services professions including athletic training and exercise science, health and safety, nursing, parks and recreation/ environmental education, and physical therapy; and the sciences including biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology and geography, mathematics, physics and psychology.  Within our college are 11 departments with a dedicated and caring faculty who prepare our students for a variety of employment opportunities or further education. 

The college also has some unique and innovative graduate programs.  The college offers a Masters of Science in Sustainable Systems, an on-line Masters of Science in Nursing (including a Nurse Practitioner Program) and a Masters in Park and Resource Management.  Our college was one of the first four institutions in the country to offer a doctoral program in Physical Therapy. 

As Dean, I welcome you to Slippery Rock University as a student in one of our exciting majors.

Responsibilities of the Dean

The Dean accepts a leadership role for the college.  It is the Dean’s responsibility to direct the College and support university initiatives.  The Dean is the person responsible for faculty support and guides the direction of academic programs within the college.   The Dean is responsible for approving faculty assignments, facility upgrades within the college and scheduling of courses.   The Dean leads the college in strategic planning, annual renewal of the mission and goals, development of new programs and degrees, course scheduling, coordination of space, including new buildings, and college activities. The Dean’s ultimate responsibility is to promote high quality undergraduate programs that meet the needs of the ever changing fields of health and science while promoting cutting edge academic experiences for students within our programs.  

Responsibilities of the Assistant to the Dean 

The primary role of the Assistant to the Dean is handling academic concerns regarding students.  The Assistant to the Dean approves course changes; add/drop forms, permission to take courses at other institutions and other academically related management decisions as assigned.  The Assistant to the Dean advises students on academic probation and works with other support services within the university to make sure students on probation improve their academic performance.  The Assistant to the Dean reviews graduation requirements for graduate students.  The ultimate responsibilities of the Assistant to the Dean are to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect among faculty/staff and students, to assist students to become successful and to aid in accomplishing the college and university mission.