Chancellor’s Perspective – March 2026
Posted: March 26, 2026
Accreditation, awards, and kudos
Thank you for taking a few minutes to catch up on the latest news and accomplishments of A.T. Still University (ATSU) faculty, staff, and students.
It has been a busy start to 2026 with faculty and staff honors, accreditation visits, and ever-changing federal guidelines affecting healthcare and higher education. Thank you to everyone who has been understanding, flexible, kind, and patient during these challenging times.
Soon, we will be celebrating graduations across campuses, and if you have not attended a graduation ceremony recently, we hope you can join us. The joy and appreciation felt by graduates, their families, and friends are contagious and remind us why we chose a career in health professions education.
Accreditation
It seems like every time I turn around, we are hosting or preparing to host an accreditation visit for one of our programs. Thank you to everyone who assists with preparations, hosting, being interviewed, and being on hand for anything and everything.
Accreditation success in academic year 2025-2026:
- ATSU-Arizona School of Health Sciences’ (ATSU-ASHS) Speech-Language Pathology program hosted a site visit by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) in February 2026. A CAA decision is expected in July 2026.
- ATSU-College for Healthy Communities’ (ATSU-CHC) Central Coast Physician Assistant program hosted a site visit by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) in June 2025. ARC-PA granted the program full 10-year accreditation in February 2026.
- In January 2026, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) approved ATSU-ASHS to offer the online Master of Athletic Training (MAT) as a credit-based, competency-based program. The MAT program was given accreditation-seeking status by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education in February 2026.
- ATSU-ASHS’ Doctor of Occupational Therapy program hosted a site visit by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) in September 2025. ACOTE granted the program full 10-year accreditation in December 2025.
- ATSU’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) hosted a site visit by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) in March 2025. CODA granted ATSU-MOSDOH full seven-year accreditation without reporting requirements in September 2025. In March 2026, CODA approved a permanent increase in class size from 63 to 84 students, effective July 2027.
- ATSU-ASHS’ Physician Assistant Studies program hosted a focused site visit by ARC-PA in October 2025. An ARC-PA decision is expected in April 2026.
- ATSU submitted an application to HLC to permanently relocate the California campus from Santa Maria to San Luis Obispo.
- ATSU Gutensohn Clinic (Kirksville Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine clinics) received Rural Health Clinic designation in August 2025.
ATSU strategic plan focus areas
2025-2026 focus area updates
- Identify and address implications for higher education and institutional operations arising from the 2025-2026 Federal Budget Reconciliation Act.
Internal working groups, headed by Chancellor’s Cabinet members, are addressing student recruitment, admissions, and financial aid; managing risk and compliance with the new federal budget (including Medicaid); and preserving ATSU’s mission and culture during implementation of the federal budget changes. - Identify, implement, and fund opportunities to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) across academic programs and administrative operations. An internal grant opportunity was offered to support pilot and demonstration projects meaningfully using AI to strengthen whole person healthcare education, scholarly activity, business operations, and service. Funded projects include:
- Harold Bright IV, MLS, AHIP, A.T. Still Memorial Library, “Building Foundational AI Integrity: Comprehensive Literacy Training for Students, Faculty, and Staff,” $4,800. Collaborators include: Leslie Golamb, MLS, MBA; Dot Winslow, MFA; Julia Peters, MILS; and Jessica Richardson
- Erin Maruska, DMD, MPH, ’20, ATSU-Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH), “AI Tutoring in a Removable Partial Denture Course,” $11,160. Collaborators include: Amira Elgreatly, DDS, BDS, MS; Ahmed Mahrous, DDS, BDS, MS; Jonny Brennan, MD, DMD, MPH, ’12; William Madaio, DMD; and Klud Razoky, BDS
- Sumitra Miriyala, PhD, MBA, MPH, ATSU-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM), “PrintAI Anatomy Lab: AI-Optimized 3D Printing for High-Fidelity Anatomical Models and Efficient Lab Operations,” $11,560. Collaborators include: Debra Loguda-Summers; Mohammad Farhan, OMS I; and Eknoor Chhina, OMS I
- Janet Woldt, PhD, MS, ATSU-ASDOH, “Using Voicebots for Role-Playing in a Dental Professionalism & Ethics Course,” $2,480. Collaborator: Erin Maruska, DMD, MPH, ’20
- Establish a translational research program to advance faculty and staff discoveries toward enhanced healthcare delivery and innovations in health professions education.
Open-ended internal funding is being offered to support pilot and demonstration projects translating research discoveries into tangible outcomes with societal benefit and demonstrating potential for commercialization or applied impact.
INSIGHT Into Academia recognition
ATSU was named a recipient of the 2025 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Champion Award by Insight Into Academia magazine. This is the ninth consecutive year the University has received a HEED award and the first time it has been elevated to Champion status.
The University also received the fifth consecutive Inspiring Programs in STEM Award for ATSU’s Dreamline Pathways program.
Congratulations to Clinton Normore, EdD, MBA, ’25, chief diversity officer, and ATSU Diversity & Inclusion for their unending efforts to help the University meet its vision and mission.
Facilities update
A big thank you to our Environmental Services, Facilities, and Campus Safety team members for their never-ending help in keeping our university sites maintained, clean, safe, and accessible. Beyond routine maintenance and groundskeeping, major University-wide updates completed and underway during the past year include:
Mesa, Arizona, campus
- Remodeled Bucky’s Market
- Installed campus sign
- Installed campus fencing and entry gate
California campus
- San Luis Obispo renovation underway
- Preparing for students, faculty, and staff to transition in October 2026
Kirksville, Missouri, campus
- Student Housing updates
- Renovated Centennial Commons
- Replaced Gutensohn Clinic and Couts Breezeway roofs
- Renovating space for Missouri campus President’s Office suite
- Replaced anatomy cadaver prep cold room in Couts Building
- Gutensohn Clinic updates (replace elevator control board, renovate fourth floor northwest section)
- Preparing for ATSU-MOSDOH class expansion (class of 2031) in the Interprofessional Education Building
- Upcoming: renovate Still Building third floor for Finance Student Accounts
- Upcoming: add bench seating in Tinning Education Center hallway
St. Louis, Missouri, location
- Installing new signage (1500 Park Ave., 1300 Lafayette)
- Replacing flooring (urgent care administrative area)
- Planning for class of 2031 to arrive in 2029
Fall 2025 ATSU commencement ceremonies
ATSU-CHC Central Coast Physician Assistant program
Friday, September 12
Santa Barbara, California
ATSU-ASHS Physician Assistant Studies and Doctor of Medical Science programs
Friday, September 19
Mesa, Arizona
2026 commencement ceremonies (watch ceremonies at live.atsu.edu)
ATSU-ASDOH
Friday, May 8, 2026
Phoenix, Arizona
ATSU-MOSDOH
Friday, May 15, 2026
Kirksville, Missouri
ATSU-KCOM
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Kirksville, Missouri
ATSU-College of Graduate Health Studies
Friday, May 22, 2026
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA)
Friday, May 22, 2026
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-ASHS Residential and Online programs
Friday, June 5, 2026
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-CHC Central Coast Physician Assistant program
Friday, September 18, 2026
Santa Barbara, California
ATSU-ASHS Physician Assistant Studies and Doctor of Medical Science programs
Friday, October 2, 2026
Mesa, Arizona
2026 white coat ceremonies (watch ceremonies at live.atsu.edu)
ATSU-ASHS Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Audiology programs
Friday, March 13, 2026
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-ASDOH, ATSU-SOMA, and ATSU-ASHS Physician Assistant Studies program
Friday, July 10, 2026
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-MOSDOH
Friday, July 10, 2026
Kirksville, Missouri
ATSU-KCOM
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Kirksville, Missouri
ATSU-CHC Central Coast Physician Assistant program
Friday, August 7, 2026
Location TBA
Faculty and staff updates (as of February 28, 2026)
Please be sure to check out the many awards and kudos ATSU faculty and staff have received.
Recent promotions (PDF)
Accomplishments kudos (PDF)
Anniversary milestones (PDF)
Professional development opportunities
ATSU is offering the Supervisor Education Program for current supervisors, new managers, and employees aspiring to leadership roles. The program format includes an online Paylocity course and live virtual components. All sessions are open to every ATSU employee. Everyone who completes the program will receive a certificate of completion and be entered into a drawing for one of six bonuses ranging from $100-$500. For more information, please contact John Gardner, PhD, MEd, director of policy & employee education, at johngardner@atsu.edu.
Looking to learn more? ATSU offers many opportunities for professional development 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. Each email will receive a personal response from me. 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 behaviors that compromise 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
Once again, thank you for taking a few minutes to learn about ATSU students, faculty, and staff. We remain humbled each day by the support and encouragement from our communities, alumni, 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 | 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.