July 30, 2021

SVSU hires new dean of College of Health & Human Services

Saginaw Valley State University has hired a leader with experience as an epidemiologist, researcher and community health specialist to serve as the new dean of the institution’s Crystal M. Lange College of Health & Human Services.

Marcia Mastracci Ditmyer comes to SVSU after serving as the associate dean for education and professor in residence with Emeritus at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), School of Dental Medicine where she provided leadership and assumed oversight for all educational programs and learning environments within the school. Her appointment begins August 1. 

“I am very excited and look forward to working side-by-side with the outstanding students, faculty and staff at SVSU,” Ditmyer said.

Ditmyer’s experience and expertise are wide-ranging, from risk mitigation to leading complex change initiatives to building partnerships across a variety of stakeholders, including K-12 institutions, businesses and government agencies. At UNLV, she facilitated the establishment of an interprofessional academic health center and most recently spearheaded the COVID-19 Response Team, using evidence-based best practices to maintain the continuity of education, while ensuring a safe and healthy environment for faculty, staff, students, and patients. 

Deborah Huntley, SVSU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said Ditmyer’s strong record of professional service, leadership, research and teaching made her the right choice for the position.

“Dr. Ditmyer has a strong commitment to interprofessional education and an impressive portfolio of successful leadership experiences” Huntley said. “She is an outstanding choice to lead SVSU’s exceptional programs in SVSU’s College of Health & Human Services.”

A Michigan native, Ditmyer received an MBA from Central Michigan University, a Master of Science from California College for Health Sciences, and a PhD from the University of Toledo. She also holds the Master Certified Health Education Specialist credential from National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. Her formal training has allowed Ditmyer to work as an epidemiologist, researcher, and community health specialist.

Early in her career, Ditmyer worked in the automotive sector. In her 19 years at UNLV, she gained interprofessional experience working within a variety of health science professions, including medicine, dental, nursing, community/public health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, kinesiology and nutrition sciences, social work, and mental health counseling. She also is a senior consultant for the Academy for Advancing Leadership. 

Ditmyer is a health and fitness enthusiast and believes in a holistic approach to wellness, centered on the principles of inclusion, empowerment, and personal wellbeing.

SVSU’s Crystal M. Lange College of Health & Human Services provides a knowledge- and skills-based education, combining theoretical courses with clinical or fieldwork experience components to equip students for careers across the health care field. For more information about SVSU’s College of Health & Human Services, visit svsu.edu/collegeofhealthhumanservices.