Chancellor’s Perspective – January 2025
Posted: January 13, 2025
Happy New Year
Welcome back! As we return from holiday break and welcome a new year, it is refreshing to catch up with coworkers and students. With multiple locations and virtual classes, there are always great stories to be shared regarding travel, friends, and family.
It is also time for a new set of resolutions, or perhaps some from last year yet to be realized. A few of mine include:
1. Listening more and talking less.
2. Sending no emails during evenings and weekends unless there is an emergency. No one wants to hear from me when home with family and friends, no one.
3. As always, losing the 10 pounds that have been living off the other 190 pounds for decades. Any suggestions?
4. Completing all preventive exams and tests. Seems easy, however, those 12 months do fly by.
5. Reaching out to those special mentors and friends who have helped along the way. It is never too late to make a call, send a note, or drop by to share a thank you for that little, or big, extra help received just when you needed it most.
HEED award
For the eighth consecutive year, A.T. Still University (ATSU) has been named a recipient of the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. ATSU was selected for its commitment to an educational and collaborative environment embracing inclusivity and cultural proficiency. This environment is highlighted by the University’s Dreamline Pathways program, which received the 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine last fall. Kudos to Clinton Normore, MBA, chief diversity officer, and team.
Giving Tuesday success
Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity, unites people all across the globe to give generously and support organizations in their communities. On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, ATSU received gifts from supporters across the U.S., raising more than $21,000 from 22 states. Thank you for supporting student scholarships, areas of greatest need, and special initiatives, all of which propel the University and its mission forward.
Required Employee Education
Thank you to all who completed their 2024 Required Employee Education! Your assistance allows resources to be used effectively. Additionally, on-time completion allows ATSU to continue eligibility for student financial aid, programmatic and institutional accreditation, University funding, insurance, and additional programs and requirements.
In loving memory
As many of you know, W. Jack Magruder, EdD, president emeritus of ATSU, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Dr. Magruder served as president of Truman State University from 1994-2003 and ATSU from 2008-12. He will be deeply missed by many, but his legacy of dedication and service will live on through the many lives he touched. On behalf of the entire University community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Magruder’s family and his many friends.
2024-2025 strategic plan focus areas
1. Flexible and engaged learning.
Faculty continue to explore new teaching and learning methods, including incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). The Teaching & Learning Center continues to provide multiple programs to assist faculty development. In addition to currently funded projects, this academic year almost $50,000 in grants has been awarded to the following faculty for flexible and engaged learning projects.
- Rachel Geoghegan, DAT, MSHRD, ATC, in collaboration with Barton Anderson, DHSc, MS, ATC; Cailee Welch Bacon, PhD, ATC, FNATA; Kenneth Lam, ScD, ATC; and Tamara Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA, “Empowering Learning: AI tutors for flexible and engaging online education”
- Virginia Little, PhD, MS, in collaboration with Jason Karstens, PT, DPT, and Leslie Golamb, MLS, MBA, “Using neuroscience of learning to learn neuroscience”
- Sumitra Miriyala, PhD, MBA, MPH, FAHA, in collaboration with Debra Loguda-Summers and Jamie Carroll, “Anatomy for retention and mastery (ARM): An adaptive, interactive learning platform to enhance long-term anatomical knowledge in health professions education”
- Jeffrey Andrion, PT, PhD, in collaboration with Marie Jackson, PhD, MBA, “The SANAR outreach project: Bringing ASHS to migrant farmworkers and their families in Yuma, Arizona”
- Renu Agnihotri, MD, in collaboration with William Brechue, PhD, and Yohei Norimatsu, PhD, “Integrating predictive and generative AI into basic sciences medical education (a pilot study)”
2. Developing ATSU’s present and future leaders.
ATSU is committed to professional development opportunities for faculty and staff. In addition to current programs offered through Human Resources and faculty development, this spring ATSU Leadership Institute will offer in-person and virtual opportunities for faculty and staff to gain leadership skills and knowledge.
3. Recruiting and retention.
ATSU deans, along with Student Affairs and Communication & Marketing, are continuing to successfully adjust to increasing competition for students. Deans and Student Affairs are also committed to retaining applicants and students through a variety of innovative approaches.
Location updates
A big thank you to our environmental services, facilities, and security team members for helping keep ATSU locations updated, clean, safe, and accessible.
Kirksville, Missouri: In the former bookstore space, students, faculty, and staff are enjoying The Synapse Lounge where they may experience VR, AR, relax, or study. Progress continues on updating student housing. The George Rea Cancer Treatment Center will soon be updated with additional equipment and resources to serve Kirksville and all of northeast Missouri.
St. Louis, Missouri: Remodeling space for additional patient simulation is underway. Preparation for ATSU-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health’s March 2025 accreditation site visit is underway. A fitness center in the former Fields Foods building at 1500 Park will be opening in February.
Mesa, Arizona: Facilities are being prepared to host ATSU-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona’s second-year student transition initiative. Adjacent to the east and west borders of campus, townhomes and apartments, respectively, are under construction.
Santa Maria, California: ATSU’s College for Healthy Communities (ATSU-CHC) welcomed the fourth class of physician assistant studies. Preparation is underway for Central Coast Physician Assistant program’s accreditation site visit.
Recent commencement ceremonies
ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences
Physician Assistant Studies and Doctor of Medical Science programs
Friday, September 13
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-CHC Central Coast Physician Assistant program
Friday, September 13
Santa Maria, California
Faculty and staff updates (as of December 31)
Recent promotions: Please view the list of employee promotions (PDF).
Accomplishment kudos: Please view the list of accomplishment kudos (PDF).
Anniversary milestones: Please view the list of employee anniversaries (PDF).
Professional development opportunities
Looking to learn more? ATSU offers many opportunities for professional development through Human Resources, Missouri Training Institute, Teaching & Learning Center, Still Healthy seminars, and Paylocity. ATSU-CGHS also offers faculty and staff discounts on programs and courses.
Ideas or concerns?
Please submit your ideas to ideas@atsu.edu. Each email will receive a personal response from me. Ideas are only shared with the sender’s permission.
If you see something you are worried about, please contact the anonymous Fraud Hotline to report situations or behavior that compromises ATSU’s integrity. The hotline is available 24/7 at 1.855.FRAUD.HL (1.855.372.8345) or fraudhl.com. Reference code “ATSU” when making a report.
In closing
Thank you for taking a few minutes to catch up on events, successes, and plans of our students, faculty, staff, and University.
May your 2025 be healthy and prosperous. Also good luck on your resolutions. I will let you know how I do this time around.
Yours in service,
Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84
Chancellor
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
800 W. Jefferson St., Kirksville, MO 63501 | 660.626.2391
5850 E. Still Circle, Mesa, AZ 85206 | 480.219.6010
1075 E. Betteravia Rd., Ste. 201, Santa Maria, CA | 805.621.7651
Office of the Chancellor | chancellor@atsu.edu
ATSU Communication & Marketing | communications@atsu.edu
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences serves as a learning-centered university dedicated to preparing highly competent professionals through innovative academic programs. The University is committed to continuing its osteopathic heritage and focus on whole person healthcare, scholarship, community health, interprofessional education, diversity, and underserved populations.