Salus University appointed Gerry O’Sullivan, PhD, as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.

Dr. O’Sullivan joined Salus University in March of 2023 as interim provost and VPAA after the retirement of Barry Eckert, PhD. On Oct 1, 2023, Dr. O’Sullivan was invited to serve as ongoing provost and VPAA by University president Michael Mittelman, OD ‘80, MPH, MBA, FACHE, FAAO. 

“It was an honor to be asked, and a pleasure to accept,” said Dr. O’Sullivan. “I’ve spent the entirety of my 35-year career in higher education serving nonprofit independent colleges and universities that have clear missions. Salus University’s mission is both clear and compelling. And, President Mittelman and I are very much in sync on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the University.”

Dr. Mittelman concurs. He calls the addition of Dr. O’Sullivan to Salus “an absolute pleasure” and that having him on the team “makes my job so much easier.”

“The unparalleled experience and expertise Dr. O’Sullivan has been instrumental in our merger process with Drexel University, pending approvals, and in continuing to enable all of our academic programs to thrive,” said Dr. Mittelman.

“An ardent advocate for his faculty, Gerry works tirelessly to ensure that our programs and faculty have what they need to flourish and to celebrate their successes. It’s been a delight getting to know him and work with him on complex issues.”

Dr. O’Sullivan earned degrees from Fordham University, Vanderbilt, and the University of Pennsylvania as well as a certificate from Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management. 

He has also served in numerous positions as a higher education professional, including faculty member, dean, department chair, program director, and vice president.

In 2016, he was recruited to become the senior vice president for Accreditation and Compliance for a Pennsylvania-based Online Provider Management company at the same time he was forming his own practice in higher education consulting. 

For the past eight years, Dr. O’Sullivan and his team provided advisory services to campuses facing financial, accreditation-related, and strategic challenges and also assisted with several startups and mergers.

“For almost a decade I helped colleges and universities make plans to merge or partner with other institutions,” said Dr. O’Sullivan. “When I was told about Salus University’s plan to merge with Drexel I was elated. Salus is getting ahead of the curve and joining forces with a larger, stronger partner to grow in size, strength, and excellence.”

He notes that independent higher education will only grow and thrive through mergers.

“Salus’ board and president were very prescient in committing themselves to this course of action. I am honored to be able to apply some of the tools in my professional toolkit to the pending merger. And, I am blessed with a truly wonderful and talented team at Salus,” said Dr. O’Sullivan.

Read more about Gerry O’Sullivan’s role as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Salus University.

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