The University of Kentucky College of Medicine-Bowling Green Campus has created an additional leadership position to focus on the holistic success of its medical students.
Deanna Morris, PhD, has been named assistant dean for students, a role involving the management of student services, registrar activities, financial aid, outreach, and admissions efforts at the campus. The regional site graduated its first class of medical students in 2022, and Dr. Morris will be instrumental in leading efforts to plan future annual celebratory events such as graduation, Match Day, and the white coat ceremony.
Dr. Morris brings wide-ranging experience in research, student mentorship, and teaching to the position. Since 2019, she has been an instructor of biology at the Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) in Bowling Green, Ky. During this time, she taught five different courses and received the 2020-2021 Outstanding Service to Students Mentor Award.
Along with her professional teaching duties, Dr. Morris has logged numerous volunteer hours serving on multiple committees that promote wellness, sustainability, education, and service at SKYCTC.
Dr. Morris is an alumna of the University of Kentucky, earning her PhD in molecular and cellular biology through the UK College of Arts and Sciences. She went on to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at the UK College of Medicine and was a scientist in the laboratory of Qingjun Wang, PhD, for five years. She has contributed to multiple publications related to biology.
Her knowledge of the needs in the Commonwealth will assist the UK College of Medicine-Bowling Green Campus as it trains physicians in Kentucky for Kentucky to help alleviate the physician shortage in the state.