Prior to the start of the fall semester, Vice President for Academic Affairs Mike McGinnis announced that Kerri Golden would be assuming the role of Interim Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education.
Golden follows Don Walkovich as the leader of the SHSE. Walkovich stepped down from his dean’s post over the summer and has assumed the position of Special Assistant to the VPAA.
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve and develop our faculty, research and development,” said Golden.
Golden served as both Assistant and Associate Dean of the SHSE for four years and has taught in the Occupational Therapy Program at the University since 2000.
She specializes in the psycho-social practice of Occupational Therapy and has also taught leadership and management courses at SFU.
“There has always been a lot of collaboration between departments,” said Golden. “That has really prepared me for this role – my job is to advocate for and help all of the programs in our School.
“Knowing the people, the students and the departments has put me in a good position.”
Golden has traveled with students to Washington, D.C., to lobby for bills that help patients gain better access to healthcare. She has received multiple awards for teaching and advocacy from the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association.
Golden said she is looking forward to staying in contact with the student body as she transitions into her new administrative role.
“I treasured my time on the faculty and I love teaching, and I still teach a little bit. Having been a faculty member for 19 years of my career at Saint Francis, I absolutely love students and I encourage them to talk with me.
“I spent the vast majority of my career here teaching – that will affect my leadership in many ways.”
Walkovich said he is excited for Golden and believes she is the right person to lead the SHSE at this time.
“I am thrilled that she is in the Interim Dean seat,” he said. “I have all the confidence in the world that she will take this School where it needs to be.”
Golden and Walkovich both noted that they are looking forward to working on projects together, including the opening of St. Margaret’s Hall in the spring semester.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for this facility – which will serve as home to the Occupational Therapy Program – will be held on Oct. 20.
Other building projects ongoing in the SHSE include a new cafe that will be connected to the DiSepio Institute and the completion of the Sullivan Hall renovations.
Upon completion of these renovations, the top floor of Sullivan will be home to the Nursing Program, the second floor will house the Physician Assistant Program, and the first floor will be home to the Physical Therapy Program.
“I am excited for the opportunity to serve our School and especially our students,” said Golden.
“I am looking forward to leading our School into a changing landscape in higher education.”
