{"id":59413,"date":"2025-08-07T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=59413"},"modified":"2025-08-06T15:52:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T19:52:21","slug":"meet-the-new-divisional-deans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2025\/meet-the-new-divisional-deans\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the new divisional deans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
As part of a reimagining process, 91短视频 is positioning itself to better serve its students and fulfill its mission by reconfiguring its academic structure from three schools to two divisions. This new leadership structure will help the university work more efficiently and encourage greater integration and collaboration across academic programs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two deans with extensive leadership experience have been appointed to lead the academic divisions, with both officially beginning their roles on July 1, 2025. The\u00a0Rev. Dr. Sarah Ann Bixler,<\/strong> former associate dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary, serves as dean for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences division.\u00a0Dr. Michael Horst,\u00a0<\/strong>former interim associate dean, former director of 91短视频\u2019s counseling program, and current director of its psychology program, serves as dean for the Health, Behavioral, and Natural Sciences division. The two divisional deans work closely with\u00a0Dr. Tara Kishbaugh,\u00a0<\/strong>dean of faculty and student success, and\u00a0Jonathan Swartz,\u00a0<\/strong>dean of students, and report to the provost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rev. Dr. Sarah Ann Bixler<\/strong>, dean for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences division<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Education<\/strong> Tell us a little about yourself<\/strong> I enjoy traveling, hiking, flower gardening, and playing piano. My spouse, three children, in-laws and I farm at the historic Lincoln Homestead<\/a> in Linville with goats, chickens, cats, and big fruit and vegetable gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What will you be doing in this new divisional dean role?<\/strong> “The value of these important areas of study (the humanities, arts and social sciences) is under threat right now, and I take my responsibility seriously to promote and position these programs for a strong future.”<\/em><\/p>Rev. Dr. Sarah Ann Bixler<\/strong>, dean for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences division<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n What excites you most about the year(s) ahead?<\/strong>
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
BA, 91短视频 (English)
MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary (Divinity)
PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary (Practical Theology\/Christian Education)<\/p>\n\n\n
I started teaching at 91短视频 as an adjunct instructor in 2018 at the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, campus. In 2019 I was hired for a continuing faculty position, teaching primarily in the seminary graduate program with an occasional undergraduate theology and religion course. In 2021, I took on administrative responsibilities as associate dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Before teaching, I had many other roles at 91短视频 at various points in my adult life. I facilitated community as a residence director in Elmwood, served as president of the Alumni Association, cleaned rooms in the 91短视频 Guest House, hosted summer groups with conferences and events, and waited tables for banquets. In 2002, I earned my undergraduate degree at 91短视频 in English and secondary education with minors in mathematics and music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I give leadership to 91短视频\u2019s academic programs in the humanities, arts and social sciences at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The value of these important areas of study is under threat right now, and I take my responsibility seriously to promote and position these programs for a strong future. I want to be sure dynamic and expert faculty will teach 91短视频 students for decades to come, so 91短视频 graduates will be equipped with the practical skills, creativity and critical thinking that these areas of study offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Higher education is entering a new way of being. Students expect to engage technology in their learning, while also longing for human engagement in the process. We learn the most when we interact with others who bring different experiences and perspectives that open new ways for us to understand ourselves and the world. I\u2019m excited about how technology is expanding our classrooms with new ways of communicating and interacting, and how our 91短视频 learning community has the opportunity to grow more than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n