Gannon University’s Morosky College of Health Professions & Sciences announces leadership changes

Gannon University earlier this month proudly announced the appointment of Sarah Ewing, Ph.D., as the institution’s next Provost and Vice President for Student Experience.

Ewing currently serves as the dean of the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences. She will begin the role of provost and vice president for student experience beginning July 1, 2023. Gannon’s Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences is the university’s largest college, with more than 2,000 students and 160 faculty and staff across two campuses in Erie, Pa., and Ruskin, Fla.

During Ewing’s time as dean, the college has grown and flourished significantly through meaningful community partnerships that deliver transformational opportunities for students to advance their careers and pursue their passions.

The university looks to continue this momentum and to position these programs for continued growth through the appointments to three key positions. The following transitions have been decided and will begin July 1, 2023, along with Ewing’s:

Kim Cavanagh, DHSc, PA-C will serve as Interim Dean for the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences.

Cavanagh joined Gannon in September 2001. She has been at Gannon for 21 years and received tenure and advancement in rank to Associate Professor in 2013. She has served as clinical coordinator, associate director, served as acting program director, as well as department chair/program director and most recently as associate dean.

She has served the university in numerous other capacities, including as a member of the University Planning and Budget Committee, Middle States Standard V working group chair, and Presidential Leadership Transition Committee member.

Cavanagh will provide leadership to support and advance the mission, vision and strategic initiatives of the College. She will provide stability and guidance to the MCHPS leadership team including department chairs and program directors through the transition in leadership. Her experience in accreditation and assessment will be an asset as the college prepares to enter a series of self-study reviews for re-accreditation of programs as well as on-going development of new programs for the Ruskin campus.

Becky Mokris, D.Ed., LAT, ATC, CES, ROT will serve as Interim Associate Dean for the School of Medical Sciences and School of Public Health & Health Sciences, while continuing to serve as program director for the Master’s in Athletic Training program.

Mokris was hired as an Assistant Professor at Gannon in 2014. She has served as the program director for the Master’s of Athletic Training program since then. She achieved tenure and advancement in rank to Associate Professor in 2020. She served as a member of the Provost Search Committee and is actively engaged in Graduate Council and Faculty Senate. She serves as the Faculty Senate Secretary as part of the executive committee. Mokris was involved in the early development of the Ruskin Campus and served as part of the campus development committee to support academic program development, renovation of the original administrative building, and construction of the new academic building.

She will provide support to the interim dean and dean’s office to oversee operations for the School of Medical Sciences and the School of Public Health & Health Sciences. She will work closely with the MCHPS leadership team to manage program, employee and student needs for the schools.

Kristen Grippe MPAS, PA-C will step in as the Interim Program Director of the Physician Assistant Program in Erie.

Grippe earned her Bachelor of Science degree in health science in 2004 and her Master’s in Physician Assistant Science in 2005 from Gannon University. She joined Gannon as an Assistant Professor in the Physician Assistant Science program in 2015, was promoted to Associate Professor in August 2020, and received tenure in August 2021.

She has worked at Gannon for the past eight years. During her time at Gannon, she has served the university at all levels. She serves as chair of the PA department’s didactic curriculum committee and is an active member of the Graduate Council, where she serves on the executive committee. She served on the MCHPS Academic Affairs Committee, including Chair of the committee, and has remained active on the Academic Community Engagement committee for the past four years. Grippe was recognized with the Service-Learning Award in 2022.

Grippe will oversee and lead delivery of education and administration of our Physician Assistant program. She will participate in the recruitment and retention of students, oversee and support students, staff and faculty associated with the program and maintain accreditation compliance.

“I feel grateful and blessed to have such a deep and experienced team of colleagues ready and willing serve the university by taking on extensive leadership roles within the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences during this transition,” Ewing said. “This new team combined with our team of experienced associate deans, chairs, program directors and support staff are committed to the core values of the college – quality, respect, student-centered, collaboration and a commitment to excellence. They have the depth and breadth of experience to maintain, support, and advance the academic programs and strategic initiatives across the college in the coming year.”
Ewing said a search to fill the dean position will begin in late summer or early fall with a start date of July 1, 2024.