Rhonda A. Waskiewicz, OTR, Ed.D., Named Dean of the College of Health and Education at Husson University

Published on: March 24, 2015

BANGOR, MAINE - Husson University announced today that Rhonda A. Waskiewicz, OTR, Ed.D., has been named dean of the College of Health and Education at Husson University. Waskiewicz is joining Husson after serving as the interim dean of the School of Education at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 

As dean, Waskiewicz will be responsible for determining the educational curricula priorities; supervising faculty; implementing budgets; as well as the development and articulation of all strategic plans associated with the College of Health and Education.

When asked about her new position, Waskiewicz stated, “In my new role, I want to help the faculty and staff of the College of Health and Education develop the resources they need to do their jobs well. I also want to support an open, collaborative environment. One never knows from where, or whom, the next great idea will come. I’m looking forward to helping this university continue to be one of the premier providers of professional education through innovative programs that lead to career success.”

Waskiewicz brings over 19 years of experience in higher education to her new position. She began her career in 1996 as a clinical education coordinator in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Scranton. After five years in this role, she was named the department chair/program director. In August 2002, Waskiewicz was promoted to associate dean where she assisted in supervising all aspects of the Panuska College of Professional Studies at the University of Scranton.

In 2008, Waskiewicz took on a new role at Wilkes University as their coordinator of assessment. In this position, she worked with the institution’s College of Pharmacy and Nursing to develop and implement realistic systems that measured outcomes-based student learning as part of the accreditation and program review process. After less than a year in this role, she was promoted and became the assistant dean for academic affairs and assessment for Wilkes’ Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing.
After three-and-a-half years, Waskiewicz was named the interim dean of the School of Education at Wilkes, a role she held until just recently when she joined Husson University. 

She earned her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Tufts University in 1973. Years later, Waskiewicz returned to college. In 1997, she completed her Master of Science in health administration from Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. She immediately went on to earn a Doctor of Education in educational administration from Temple University. During her time at Temple, Waskiewicz focused on educational leadership and policy studies and completed her doctoral studies in 2001.

Dr. Waskiewicz has an impressive history of scholarship. Some of her most recent publications include an article in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education entitled “Achievement Goal Orientation and Situational Motivation for a Low-Stakes Test of Content Knowledge.” She was also the co-author of a paper published in 2008 by the University of Wisconsin called “Exploring Area Health Education Centers’ Role in Assisting with CME Opportunities for Rural Physicians in Northeast Pennsylvania: A Community-Based Research Project.” Later this year, her book, “Navigation Assessment and Curricular Change in Higher Education” will be published by Sense Publishers. 

“Rhonda’s experience in championing student success was one of the many reasons why we believe she will be a great addition to Husson University,” said Lynne Coy-Ogan, Ed.D., senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Under her leadership, Husson will continue to be the university of choice for individuals interested in pursuing successful healthcare and education careers.”

For more than 100 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells and Northern Maine provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.