USF names Angela Harrell as dean of the School of Health Sciences

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The University of Saint Francis has named Dr. Angela Harrell as dean of the School of Health Sciences.

Harrell will begin as dean Aug. 15. She succeeds Dr. Mindy Yoder, who remains at the university as associate dean and chief nursing officer.

“We are excited about the possibilities for growth with Dr. Angela Harrell leading the School of Health Sciences in providing high quality, nationally recognized education,” USF President Sister M. Elise Kriss said. “We also extend our appreciation to Dr. Mindy Yoder for her leadership as dean and are pleased she will continue at USF as associate dean and chief nursing officer.”

Harrell has been a full-time faculty member at USF since 2007. She has a doctoral degree in Health Sciences from A.T. Still University, a Master of Health Administration degree from USF, a Bachelor of Science degree in Radiation Sciences from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and an Associate of Science degree in Radiologic Technology from Indiana University. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, has worked in medical imaging for the past 20 years and has held administrative positions in both the hospital and higher education settings. She has been the clinical coordinator for the Radiologic Technology program at USF and director of the MHA program.

“I am excited to begin my work as the dean of the School of Health Sciences at the University of Saint Francis,” Harrell said. “As dean, I am excited to support the work of our outstanding faculty and staff to continue the school’s history of providing high-quality educational experiences and preparing students for a successful career in a healthcare profession. USF’s long-standing commitment to professional excellence, leadership, and service across all undergraduate and graduate healthcare programs is something I personally and professionally believe in and hope to expand further and enhance under my leadership.”

Harrell’s most recent public research focused on the correlation between job placement rates of graduates and the number of clinical sites students encountered during their clinical education. She developed a strong interest in epidemiology and population health during her doctoral education, when she was involved in a national fall prevention campaign using data from the Health People 2020 campaign.

“The search committee was deeply impressed by Dr. Harrell’s knowledge, vision, experience and leadership style,” Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Lance Richey said. “I am confident the School of Health Sciences under her leadership will continue its tradition of excellence and innovation to serve the healthcare education needs of northern Indiana.”

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 70 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the School of Health Sciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership and School of Creative Arts. In addition to its traditional programs, USF designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the university’s business and music technology programs while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis campus experience includes 18 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships and is recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution. Approximately 2,200 students from a broad geographic region attend USF.