leaders. visionaries. role-models.
We’re honored to share their stories here.
is the dean of the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences.
SARAH EWING, PH.D.
Gannon University’s three colleges are each headed by female deans for the first time in history. Inspired by their work, we got in touch to talk about their personal journeys and careers in academia, and what it is like to serve as influential leaders who create an environment where students and faculty alike can thrive in the mission of the university.
Ewing is the oldest of five children and funded her own college education, earning a bachelor's degree in biology from Penn State Behrend in 2001 as a University Schreyer Scholar and Excellence in Biology Award recipient, and a Ph.D. in comparative biomedical sciences from North Carolina State University in 2007.
Ewing said she found herself soulsearching during her final years as a graduate research assistant. “... I realized it was the one-on-one interactions with my professors that really had an impact on me. I wanted to be a part of that – helping students find and achieve their own educational and career goals.” She returned to Erie as a biology professor at Penn State Behrend in 2007. That’s when things became clearer. “My own recognition for the research that I had been doing wasn’t enough to drive me,” Ewing said. “Mentoring students and helping them to learn
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research skills and determine how they might use them in their future career in the classroom and in the lab – that’s what drove me.” That assurance led Ewing to forge a career in academia, transitioning to Gannon in 2009 as an assistant professor of biology and director of pre-health professional programs. She advanced to chair of the biology department (2013), associate professor (2015), associate dean in July (2015), and interim dean (2017). In December of 2017, Ewing became permanent dean and has since established herself as a leader with vision and drive. “It was a series of administrative roles with growing responsibilities across the college,” Ewing said of her journey. “But it was also a willingness to say yes to opportunities and to not shy away despite fears, concerns or a personal need to gain confidence in my ability to take on new roles.” One of her initial goals was to
