University News
Sarah P. Shultz, Ph.D., who brings experience in strategic planning, fundraising, and recruitment, joins the University from Fort Lewis College in Colorado, where she served as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, before being named a special assistant to the Provost.
January 15, 2026
The University of New Haven announced that following a comprehensive search Sarah P. Shultz, Ph.D., has been selected to serve as the next dean of its School of Health Sciences. She will officially join the University on March 1.
An interdisciplinary and values-driven leader, Dr. Shultz comes to the University from in Colorado, where she served as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, before being named a special assistant to the Provost, and as faculty member in Fort Lewis鈥 Health and Human Performance Department.
She has also served as interim dean of the at Monmouth University in New Jersey and as associate dean of international relations for the College of Health at in New Zealand.
鈥淒r. Shultz is an experienced, energetic, student-centered, and forward-thinking leader,鈥 said Nancy Ortins Savage, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淪he brings a clear vision for the School of Health Sciences that aligns with our institutional values for equity, access, and innovation and that enriches the School鈥檚 focus of emphasizing patient-centered care. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, accreditation, and faculty development, as well as in community engagement, fundraising, and recruitment. She is passionate about advancing academic missions and is adept at connecting strategic priorities with student outcomes.鈥
鈥淚 am thrilled to join the University of New Haven and the School of Health Sciences,鈥 said Dr. Shultz. 鈥淚 already deeply admire the faculty, staff, and students, and I have been struck by the strong sense of purpose and collaboration across the community. There is great work happening here, and I am excited to continue advancing the School's impact together.鈥
In addition to her academic leadership roles, she served as a tenured professor and department chair at in Washington, where she played an active role in several university-level initiatives to improve student retention, persistence, and engagement. She also held a faculty position at Massey University in New Zealand.
She completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at Queensland University of Technology in Australia. She earned a Ph.D. in kinesiology and a Master of Education in kinesiology, with an emphasis in athletic training, from Temple University and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in exercise and sport science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She also earned a graduate certificate in executive leadership from Seattle University.
An accomplished researcher, she has been published extensively, including in the Journal of Biomechanics, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, and Nutrients, and she has presented at conferences hosted by the World Congress of Biomechanics and the American College of Sports Medicine. She has also secured significant external funding.
University News
Sarah P. Shultz, Ph.D., who brings experience in strategic planning, fundraising, and recruitment, joins the University from Fort Lewis College in Colorado, where she served as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, before being named a special assistant to the Provost.
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