Chancellor’s Perspective – August 2026
Posted: August 27, 2026
Accreditation, growth, and celebrations
The year of accreditation visits has come to an end, and it has been quite successful. A big thank you to all involved as ATSU demonstrated to accreditors our programs’ and university’s commitment to mission, student success, scholarly activity, and service.
Highlights include:
ATSU’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health was awarded the maximum years of continued accreditation and approval for a class size increase effective July 2027.
ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) earned positive accreditation outcomes in speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies. In addition, HLC approved ATSU-ASHS to offer the University’s first subscription, competency-based online program, the Master of Athletic Training.
ATSU-College for Healthy Communities’ Central Coast Physician Assistant program received full accreditation.
New programs under consideration include two-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in St. Louis and in California and a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in California.
In 2027, ATSU will celebrate 135 years of success. Stay tuned for information on contests and celebrations throughout the year.
In this issue, you will also find faculty and staff accomplishments, great photos of commencement and white coat ceremonies, and how to get in touch with someone to help you with your questions and concerns.
ATSU strategic plan
2026-2027 focus areas
- Artificial intelligence
Projects for this academic year include developing University-wide artificial intelligence policies, an AI student assistant, and courses leading to an AI certificate in healthcare for faculty, staff, students, and alumni. - Effective operations
Using data from ATSU’s comprehensive process improvement initiative, the first project will be developing business continuity plans for academics and operations. This will help ensure ATSU remains operational at all times. - Student recruitment for all ATSU programs
ATSU will continue to develop effective recruiting strategies to attract qualified students committed to the mission.
Save the date: Kirksville Healthcare Expo 2026
The next Kirksville Healthcare Expo will be held Saturday, September 12, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on ATSU’s Kirksville, Missouri, campus. This expo connects current and future clinicians with exhibitors, service providers, and healthcare professionals to support collaboration and enhance patient care. Plan to bring family and friends for demonstrations, health screenings, food trucks, kids’ activities, and more!
Special Olympics Missouri 2026 State Summer Games
Thank you to students, faculty, staff, and all volunteers who helped make this year’s State Summer Games in Kirksville a success. This is the second year the event has been held in Kirksville, and we are extremely grateful for everyone’s contributions to make this event a positive and supportive experience for the athletes and their families. We look forward to next year!
2026 commencement ceremonies
Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH)
Friday, May 8
Mesa, Arizona
Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH)
Friday, May 15
Kirksville, Missouri
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM)
Saturday, May 16
Kirksville, Missouri
College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS)
Friday, May 22
Mesa, Arizona
School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA)
Friday, May 22
Mesa, Arizona
Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) Athletic Training, Audiology, Biomedical Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology programs
Friday, June 5
Mesa, Arizona
2026 white coat ceremonies
ATSU-ASHS Audiology class of 2029, Occupational Therapy class of 2027, and Physical Therapy class of 2027
Friday, March 13
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-ASDOH class of 2030
Friday, July 10
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-ASHS Physician Assistant Studies class of 2028
Friday, July 10
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-SOMA class of 2030
Friday, July 10
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-MOSDOH class of 2030
Friday, July 10
Kirksville, Missouri
ATSU-KCOM class of 2030
Saturday, July 11
Kirksville, Missouri
College for Healthy Communities (ATSU-CHC) class of 2027
Friday, Aug. 7
Arroyo Grande, California
Upcoming commencement ceremonies
ATSU-CHC Commencement
Central Coast Physician Assistant program
Friday, September 18
San Luis Obispo, California
ATSU-ASHS Commencement
Physician Assistant Studies and Doctor of Medical Science programs
Friday, October 2
Mesa, Arizona
Facilities updates
Kirksville, Missouri
Work continues in the Interprofessional Education Building to accommodate ATSU-MOSDOH’s increase in class size beginning summer 2027.
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-ASDOH dental operatories and service areas, including equipment sterilization, are being upgraded in preparation for upcoming programmatic accreditation.
Campus upgrades continue with fencing, landscaping, and signage.
St. Louis, Missouri
Preparation and planning are underway to accommodate the ATSU-MOSDOH class expansion, with the class arriving at the St. Louis Dental Center in 2029.
ATSU signage has been added to the current recreation building at 1500 Lafayette.
San Luis Obispo, California
Renovation is slightly ahead of schedule as ATSU’s California campus relocates from Santa Maria to San Luis Obispo and prepares to host students arriving late summer 2026.
Faculty and staff updates (as of July 31)
Recent promotions: Please view the list of employee promotions (PDF).
Accomplishment kudos: Please view the list of accomplishment kudos (PDF).
Anniversary milestones: Please view the list of employee anniversaries (PDF).
Required Employee Education reminder
The 2026 REE is now available and due December 31. In addition to helping ATSU use its resources effectively, on-time REE completion allows ATSU to maintain eligibility for student financial aid, programmatic and institutional accreditation, University funding, insurance, and additional programs and requirements. For questions about REE, please contact John Gardner, PhD, MEd, director, policy & employee education, at johngardner@atsu.edu or 660.626.2113.
Professional development opportunities
Looking to learn more? ATSU offers many professional development opportunities through Human Resources, Missouri Training Institute, Teaching & Learning Center, Still Healthy seminars, and Paylocity. ATSU-CGHS also offers faculty and staff discounts on programs and courses.
Ideas or concerns?
Please submit your ideas to ideas@atsu.edu. I will personally respond to each email. Ideas are only shared with the sender’s permission.
If you see something you are worried about, please contact the anonymous Fraud Hotline to report situations or behavior that compromises ATSU’s integrity. The hotline is available 24/7 at 1.855.FRAUD.HL (1.855.372.8345) or fraudhl.com. Reference code “ATSU” when making a report.
In closing
Thank you for taking a few minutes to catch up on the latest ATSU initiatives, successes, and accomplishments. None of this would be possible without the support of our ATSU community, patients, partners, and friends.
Yours in service,
Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84
Chancellor
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
800 W. Jefferson St., Kirksville, MO 63501 | 660.626.2391
5850 E. Still Circle, Mesa, AZ 85206 | 480.219.6010
1075 E. Betteravia Rd., Ste. 201, Santa Maria, CA 93454 | 805.621.7651
Office of the Chancellor | chancellor@atsu.edu
ATSU Communication & Marketing | communications@atsu.edu
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences serves as a learning-centered university dedicated to preparing highly competent professionals through innovative academic programs. The University is committed to continuing its osteopathic heritage and focus on whole person healthcare, scholarship, community health, interprofessional education, diversity, and underserved populations.
To stay up to date on the latest ATSU happenings, please visit ATSU News