Stephen Rossi
Following a national search, Stephen Rossi, an experienced faculty member and health science administrator, has been selected to lead IUP’s College of Health Sciences.
He will begin his work at IUP on July 13, 2026.
Rossi comes to IUP from Georgia Southern University, where he was senior associate dean and interim dean of the Waters College of Health Professions. In these roles, he provided leadership for academic affairs, strategic planning, enrollment management, faculty development, accreditation, budgeting, and student success initiatives across multiple campuses. During his tenure, he oversaw a college serving more than 5,400 students and 100 full-time faculty members while advancing academic excellence, research growth, and community partnerships.
Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to student success, faculty mentorship, curriculum innovation, assessment, and institutional effectiveness. He has led accreditation efforts, strategic planning initiatives, and enrollment management projects while serving in key university leadership roles.
Hilliary Creely, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences and vice provost for Research and Innovation, will continue to serve in the interim dean’s role until Rossi begins his tenure at IUP, and then will continue her work as IUP vice provost for Research and Innovation.
“I am honored and excited to join Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the College of Health Sciences,” Rossi said. “IUP’s commitment to student success, academic excellence, community engagement, and workforce development aligns closely with my own values, and I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students, and community partners to build upon the College’s strong foundation and help shape its next chapter of growth and innovation.”
“Dr. Rossi’s decades of experience and his focus on academic excellence and student success make him an excellent fit for this position,” IUP Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Lara Luetkehans said.
“I thank Interim Dean Dr. Creely and Interim Associate Dean Dr. Lisa Newell for their excellent work to lead the College of Health Sciences,” Provost Luetkehans said. “They have done an outstanding job advancing the College, including being part of the team to secure a $2 million Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant to advance healthcare education.
“I also thank the search committee, cochaired by John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean Dr. Steve Hovan and College of Osteopathic Medicine Founding Dean Dr. Miko Rose, for its diligence in identifying a strong pool of candidates for this position, and for engaging the IUP community throughout the search process.”
Rossi joined Georgia Southern University in 2006 as a faculty member in the Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology and rose through the ranks to professor.
An accomplished scholar, Rossi has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presented extensively at regional, national, and international conferences. His research has focused on exercise science, athletic performance, health promotion, and student engagement in health-related disciplines.
Rossi earned a PhD in health, leisure, and human performance from Oklahoma State University, a master of science in exercise science from Appalachian State University, and a bachelor of arts in physical education and health from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
IUP’s College of Health Sciences, established in July 2024 following the year-long Academic Review and Restructuring process, includes the departments of Allied Health, Nursing, and Psychology.
The bachelor’s degree programs in allied health are Exercise Science; Medical Imaging; Medical Laboratory Science; Nutrition, Food, and Health; Pre-Athletic Training; Respiratory Care; and Speech-Language Pathology, along with graduate programs in Athletic Training, Food and Nutrition, Dietitian-Nutritionist, Speech Language Pathology, Exercise Science, and Strength and Conditioning.
IUP’s Emergency Services Training program is also part of the Allied Health program. Nursing programs in the College of Health Sciences are offered at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Psychology programs in the College of Health Sciences include a bachelor’s degree in psychology and the graduate program in clinical psychology.
Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. IUP’s Impact 150 comprehensive campaign is designed to honor a legacy of educational excellence while looking toward a future of innovation, public service, and leadership in healthcare education, including the first college of osteopathic medicine at a public university in the Commonwealth.