After a seven-month search for a new president, Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) has chosen Ronald D. Kraft, PhD, to lead the university into the future.
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"Our regents interviewed several very outstanding candidates ... but Dr. Kraft is the right person at the right time for the university," said Dr. Harry Douglas III, chairman of SCU's board of regents. "The breadth of his experience and expertise, especially his extensive background in fund raising, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, marketing, community outreach and fostering student-friendly environments, will prove essential in terms of fulfilling the university's strategic agenda."
Among Dr. Kraft's career accomplishments, he served three years as CEO and president of the Alliance for Corporate Education and as vice president at Lord Fairfax Community College in Virginia. He has also written two books: Strategic Planning for the Entrepreneur and No Fear Entrepreneur. Kraft finds his position as a "remarkable opportunity" for strategic leadership and as leader, he looks to a new vision for the college.
"Our new vision to be recognized as the premier educational institution for complementary and alternative medicine in the United States is a powerful motivator for faculty, staff and students," said Kraft.
Dr. Kraft replaces Reed Phillips, DC, PhD, who announced his retirement in January 2007 and left his position in August of this year. In describing his 16-year journey as president, Dr. Phillips had warm sentiments for SCU: "My time as president has been a delightful experience, offering many opportunities for growth and development. I wish to thank all of the SCU family who have worked so hard to support me in making a great institution even greater. It has been a memorable part of my life."
"Under Reed's leadership over the last decade and a half, Southern California University of Health Sciences has accomplished so much, adding to its reputation as a dynamic force in alternative health care education," said Douglas.
As Phillips leaves his presidency, he sets his sights on the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER). As vice president of the foundation and chair of its research division, improvements overseen by Phillips will include an evidence-based resource center (EB-RC), which will help the chiropractor search for scientific information relevant to the chiropractic profession.
"The primary delivery vehicle for the information will be DC Consult, an Internet-based, professional networking Web site and electronic library, housing all the published research relevant to chiropractic," said Phillips. "Just imagine current clinical information substantiated by the most recent literature no more than a couple of mouse clicks away."
Dr. Phillips, who for years has written a regular column for Dynamic Chiropractic, will debut as the new DC FCER Forum columnist in 2008. As always, we look forward to his contributions.