A Quartet of New Women Deans

Tricia Catalino was appointed the inaugural dean of the newly established Graduate College of Health Sciences at Hawai’i Pacific University. She joined the university in 2019 as director of the doctor of physical therapy program, and most recently served as interim dean of the College of Health and Society at the university.

Dr. Catalino holds a bachelor’s degree in education and social policy and a master’s degree in physical therapy from Northwestern University. She earned a second master’s degree and a doctorate in rehabilitation sciences from the University of Oklahoma.

Jennifer Malat is the new dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of New Mexico. She was the associate vice president of development at Virginia Commonwealth University. Earlier, she was dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences at VCU.

Dr. Malat holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota. She earned a master’s degree and Ph.D., both in sociology, from the University of Michigan.

Mary Simmons is the new dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences at Florida A&M University. She has been serving as interim dean. Before being named interim dean in 2022, Dr. Simmons was the director of the Division of Cardiopulmonary Science in the School of Allied Health Sciences at the university. She joined the faculty nearly 20 years ago.

A native of Troy, Alabama, Dr. Simmons holds a bachelor’s degree in cardiopulmonary science and a master of public health degree from Florida A&M University. She earned a doctorate in public health/community health from Walden University.

Natalie Tucker will serve as vice president and dean for the Ancilla College campus of Marian Univerity in Plymouth, Indiana. Since January she has been dean of academics for Ancilla College. Earlier, Dr. Tucker directed the college’s agriculture department.

Dr. Tucker holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Purdue University where she studied agriculture and American history.

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