WILSON, N.C. — September 11, 2024 — Barton College is pleased to announce the appointment of David H. Dommer, Ph.D., as dean of the new School of Health Sciences, effective this fall semester.
In his new role, Dommer provides administrative oversight for the School of Health Sciences, working closely with the Health Sciences faculty to deliver strong academic programs, develop new academic and co-curricular programs that advance the mission of the school, and lead assessment processes that will perpetuate continual program advancement.
As dean of the School of Health Sciences, Dr. Dommer also significantly contributes to the College’s enrollment and retention efforts and collaborates with the Division of Institutional Advancement to grow and enhance resources for these programs under his supervision. In addition, Dommer works closely with the president and vice president for academic affairs to develop community partnerships that expand learning and career opportunities for Barton students.
“David Dommer provides excellent leadership in this new administrative role as dean of the School of Health Sciences,” shared Dr. Kevin N. Pennington, vice president for academic affairs. “He is forward thinking, with a proven record of partnering with faculty to build high-quality programs. He embodies the College’s commitment to prepare graduates who understand the health care challenges and mental wellness needs in North Carolina and beyond, and he understands the vital role Barton’s School of Health Sciences provides in serving our local and regional communities.”
In addition to holding the faculty rank of associate professor of biology at Barton, Dommer brings to this new administrative role 13+ years of higher education leadership, which have included several administrative appointments at the University of Mount Olive. During his tenure at UMO, he served in roles as founding dean of the School of Graduate Studies, assistant vice president for academic affairs, associate vice president for adult and graduate programs, and associate provost for academic and administrative services & support.
Joining the Barton College faculty in August 2023, Dommer previously served as executive director for life sciences. He also held a seat on the School of Health Sciences Task Force, a group charged with engaging community partners to refine and develop the vision for the new School of Health Science at Barton.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have been selected as the Dean of Health Sciences at Barton College,” shard Dommer. “One of the greatest areas of need in healthcare today is to address the growing divide between healthcare access in urban vs rural communities. The Barton approach, with academic foci on discipline integration and kinesthetic learning will help our students become skilled practitioners who can have a longstanding impact in this region and beyond.”
Dommer earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, with a concentration in Entomology, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he later also earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences: Integrative Organismal Biology. Dommer and his wife, Sydney (Class of 2017), make their home in Clayton with their two sons.
About the School of Health Sciences —
The Barton College School of Health Sciences offers distinctive undergraduate programs in Nursing, Exercise Science, Health Promotion, Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology, in addition to graduate degrees in Nursing and Kinesiology. New academic programs on the horizon will include a Nurse Practitioner Program, Respiratory Therapy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Population Health, and Medical Laboratory Science. Plans are being finalized for a new School of Health Sciences building that will feature the latest in traditional and VR lab spaces, a state-of-the-art hospital simulation lab, newly imagined classroom spaces, and much more.
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