Dean's Welcome
Welcome to the College of Allied Health Sciences
I am honored and excited to step into the role of Dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) at the University of Cincinnati. As someone who has been deeply invested in our college's mission and values, this opportunity to lead such a dynamic and dedicated community is truly a privilege.
As we embark on this new chapter together, my vision for CAHS is to build on our strong foundation while seeking innovative ways to advance our mission. I am committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is heard, every achievement is celebrated, and every challenge is met with collective strength and creativity. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, support the development of compassionate and skilled health care professionals, and contribute meaningfully to the ever-evolving landscape of allied health sciences.
I am particularly excited about the opportunities we have to enhance our academic programming, expand our research endeavors, and strengthen our ties with local and global communities. In the coming months, this year I look forward to engaging with you all—listening to your ideas, understanding your aspirations, and working collaboratively to shape the future of our college.
I am confident that, together, we will achieve great things and further solidify CAHS's reputation as a leader in allied health education.
A little about me
Before being named in April of 2024, I served in several roles in the college, including as a student! I am a three-time UC graduate earning a doctorate degree in pathobiology and molecular medicine and bachelor’s degrees in medical technology and biology from UC. I joined the UC faculty in 2003 as assistant professor in the Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program with a focus in hemostasis and clinical chemistry. Over the last 20 years, I have served as MLS program director, unit head for the Department of Clinical and Health Information Sciences, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and Interim Dean. I have also served in leaderships roles for the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences Review Committee for Accredited Programs and have been an accreditation reviewer since 2005.
Outside of being a passionate Bearcat, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, crafting, traveling, attending concerts, and glamping. Our house is lively with our 4 boys, 2 dogs, 6 chickens and a hermit crab!
A little more about what CAHS has been up to:
Record Enrollment CAHS total enrollment for Fall 2024 is 3,478, a 4% increase over last year. We have grown 14% over the last 5 years. We welcomed over 700 new Bearcats to the CAHS family this fall across our undergraduate and graduate programs
New Programs Our Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science program is accepting its first cohort of students and will launch in fall 2025. We will begin to offer an online Clinical Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology in the fall of 2026 – applications will open in 2025.
Academic Excellence In 2023-2024, CAHS awarded more than 1000 degrees across our nearly 40 programs. Annually, ~2500 CAHS students participate in practica, internships, research, service, and interprofessional opportunities. CAHS students continue to excel on national certification and licensure examinations. Our retention remains strong at 95% (fall to spring), which is a testament to student success as well as the excellent teaching and support they receive from our faculty and staff.
Faculty and Staff To match our growth in student enrollment and provide the best experience for our students, we continue to add faculty and staff. CAHS now employs 97 full-time faculty, 169 part-time faculty, and 50 full and part-time staff.
Research The college’s research enterprise continues to be strong. As part of our strategic direction planning, we are prioritizing plans to growth our research and expand our impact in traditional research labs, community-engaged research, and training programs.
Focus on Student Success We have added crucial student support members over the last couple of years: the college’s first Student Success Coach, a Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) in College- Counselor position, and an additional advisor for our growing needs.
Community Care: We have strengthened our ties to the Cincinnati community and beyond by launching several community clinics and hosting service-oriented events.
We value our partners and alumni and hope to connect with you in the upcoming year and look forward to building new partnerships! Please connect with us if you have partnership ideas, would like to connect with program faculty and staff, or would like to stop by and visit the building. I look forward to meeting you!
Here’s to a future filled with growth, innovation, and success!
Have a great year!
Charity Accurso
Dean
College of Allied Health Sciences