On Monday, Feb. 3, Sacred Heart University hired Dr. Karl E. Minges as the new Dean of the College of Health Professions (CHP). Minges previously worked at the University of New Haven in the School of Health Sciences, where he was able to help triple the size of the program’s enrollment and faculty and received the “40 under 40” award by Connecticut Magazine for his scholarly contributions and leadership skills.
Prior to his role at UNH, Minges attended Marist University, where he majored in social work, with minors in biology, Spanish and sociology. He then went to Columbia University to earn his Master of Public Health degree in sociomedical sciences, including a Fulbright Scholarship to Australia.
Minges pursued various research-focused internships, leading to his decision to earn his Ph.D. from Yale University. After serving in multiple positions at UNH, Minges decided to take one at SHU.
“What makes Sacred Heart University stand out is its commitment to growth, fueled by a dynamic community of students, faculty and staff. Bolstered by a mission and vision focused on social justice, community service, inclusive excellence, and mind, body and spirit, it resonates deeply with my personal convictions,” said Minges.
“I appreciate how SHU invests back into the student experience to create an environment where excellence and success is even more achievable. There’s also a diner and a bowling alley on campus – that’s pretty cool,” he said.
Minges will be overseeing Sacred Heart’s entire CHP and will have the opportunity to use his expertise in various fields to implement new programs into the college. He felt that the 12 months he spent serving as the interim dean at UNH in the School of Health Sciences helped to prepare him for his new role at SHU.
Source: Daniel Passapera, Sacred Heart University
Minges will work alongside faculty and staff in hopes of growing the program to achieve R2 status on the Carnegie classification and be more recognized on a national level. This will increase the CHP’s chances of receiving grants from all levels, such as the National Science Foundation. These grants will aid in funding new programs, projects and facilities that leaders in the CHP feel will benefit their growth.
“He brings a great energy and a new dynamic to the program,” said Linda Higgins, Administrative Assistant to the Dean.
The CHP is based in SHU’s Center for Healthcare Education, which opened in September 2017 and features state-of-the-art facilities for students and faculty to utilize. It houses various laboratories, a human performance and motion analysis lab, the Pioneer Performance Center, an audiology clinic, and much more, all at the disposal of students.
“It’s encouraging to see someone who’s very passionate about the program and wants to help push it to the next level,” said sophomore James Barnacle, who studies in the CHP as an exercise science major.
The program offers “research and practice-driven programs in the most in-demand fields of healthcare,” according to the official website of SHU’s College of Health Professions.
Minges is looking to ensure graduates can leave the program feeling as though they accumulated the necessary skills to be successful in their respective career paths and prepare the next generation of students to enter the workforce.
“I take the role of Dean seriously; it is one of life’s greatest privileges and responsibilities to improve and shape an increasingly diverse, interconnected, and complex world,” said Minges. “I look forward to leading the College to new heights and to contribute significantly to Sacred Heart University’s overall mission.”
