Dr. Tia Strait has announced her resignation as dean of the School of Health Sciences at Missouri Southern State University-Joplin, expressing her desire to return to the classroom and to spend more time on research. Beginning this fall, Strait will return to the dental hygiene department as a member of the faculty. She served as dean of the school for 15 years. Dr. Paula Carson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said Missouri Southern will be meeting with faculty members and other stakeholders in order to take steps to fill the integral position.

Strait said she is making the change in order to return to where she began at Missouri Southern 25 years ago.

"I've been honored to serve the University and the School of Health Sciences as dean over the past 15 years," Strait said. "But I have missed teaching and mentoring students as they develop into primary care providers."

Strait, who began her career as a dental hygienist before moving into higher education and education administration, said she is looking forward to conducting new research projects, some of which will be inter-professional in nature. Serving as dean, she said, has been a rewarding experience.

"I am thankful for the many opportunities this role has provided me, and the outstanding people with whom I have had the pleasure of working," she said.

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