Dr. Sheri Hale Named Dean of Shenandoah University’s School of Health Professions
Longtime professor, administrator has served as interim dean since August 2024
Sheri Hale, Ph.D., a member of Shenandoah University’s faculty for over two decades, has been named the new dean of the Shenandoah’s School of Health Professions.
Dr. Hale, who joined Shenandoah in 2004, has served as interim dean for the School of Health Professions since August 2024, filling the role previously held by Karen Abraham, Ph.D., who took over as Shenandoah’s provost in a permanent capacity earlier that year. Hale transitions from the interim role to dean of the School of Health Professions effective July 27.
Hale was selected following a highly competitive, nationwide search.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Hale has been a deeply dedicated member of the Shenandoah community, serving as a professor, division director, and most recently as interim dean. During her tenure as interim dean, she provided exceptional leadership and stability throughout a period of rapid growth for the School of Health Professions. She is a highly respected mentor and trusted leader, widely recognized for her collaborative approach, excellent communication skills, and profound commitment to student success. These qualities, paired with her operational expertise and deep institutional knowledge, make her the ideal person to lead the school into its next chapter.”
Karen Abraham, Ph.D., Shenandoah University Provost
A licensed physical therapist and athletic trainer, Hale joined Shenandoah as an assistant professor in 2004. She became associate director of the Division of Physical Therapy in 2013 and was elevated to program director in 2015, a position she held for nine years until she was appointed interim dean of the School of Health Professions. Hale continues to teach multiple courses within the Division of Physical Therapy.
As the health professions dean, Hale oversees a school that includes divisions in Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Public Health, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Counselor Education, and Nutrition and Dietetics.
It is an absolute privilege to step into the role of dean of the School of Health Professions. Shenandoah University has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and deep community roots. I am excited to champion collaborative initiatives across our programs in Winchester, Loudoun, and online. By uniting our efforts internally across the university and deepening our partnerships with regional healthcare providers, we will ensure our students receive a world-class, integrated education that directly improves the wellness of the communities we serve.”
Sheri Hale, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Health Professions
Since assuming the interim dean role in 2024, Hale has led Shenandoah University’s School of Health Professions through a period of rapid growth. Shenandoah recently introduced new degree programs in clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and speech-language pathology, and will welcome its first cohort in the Master of Science in nutrition and dietetics program in Fall 2026. The School of Health Professions will also launch “Building the Hive” – an innovative interprofessional education initiative where Shenandoah students in different healthcare fields will train together to create more practice-ready graduates – in August.
Hale has co-authored nearly 60 peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, and scientific and professional presentations. She is a member of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers’ Association, the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) sections on education and orthopaedics, and APTA-Virginia.
Her extensive involvement in the Winchester and Frederick County community includes serving as co-coordinator for the Health Sciences Academy with Valley Health.
Following an extensive national search, Dr. Hale emerged as the clear choice because of her proven leadership, collaborative approach, deep understanding of the School of Health Professions, and compelling vision for its future, and we are excited to see the school thrive under her leadership.”
Stephanie Bernard, Ed.D., PA-C, RD, DFAAPA, co-chair of the dean search committee
Hale earned a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology: athletic training and a Ph.D. in kinesiology: sports medicine from Penn State University; a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh; and an Education Leadership Fellowship from the American Physical Therapy Association.
