Dorsey Named Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dorsey-AVP Academic Affairs
August 10, 2004
Contact: John Holder (979) 458-0669
The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center
Office of Communications
Web address: “http://tamhsc.edu”:http://tamhsc.edu
Alicia M. Dorsey, Ph.D., has been appointed as assistant vice president for academic affairs for The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, effective August 9. Dr. Dorsey previously was the assistant dean for academic and student affairs at the A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health. She is also an associate professor in the department of social and behavioral health at the school, and served as speaker of the A&M Health Science Center Faculty Senate in 2003.
In her new position, Dr. Dorsey will work under the umbrella of the health science center’s Office of Academic Affairs with William H. Binnie, D.D.S., vice president for academic affairs, and will report to Nancy W. Dickey, M.D., president of the A&M Health Science Center and vice chancellor for health affairs for The Texas A&M University System. She will be responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of programmatic initiatives in the areas of academic and student affairs. She will also identify avenues to strengthen the health science center’s faculty relationships with internal and external constituents.
“Dr. Dorsey’s background in education, accreditation and student issues will be a big plus for the Health Science Center,” said Nancy W. Dickey, M.D., president of the Health Science Center and vice chancellor for health affairs for the A&M System. “This addition to our leadership group should enhance student programs, academic growth and community outreach. We’re excited to have her on the team.”

Dr. Dorsey received her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Communication from Indiana University and a
doctoral degree in Communication from Purdue University. She also completed a post-doctorate fellowship in psychosocial medicine from Michigan State University. She moved from Texas A&M University’s Department of Communication, where she was a faculty member in Health Communication, to the Health Science Center’s School of Rural Public Health in 1998.
At the School of Rural Public Health, Dr. Dorsey has been responsible for overseeing student records and admissions, student recruitment and relations, alumni relations and practica assignments. She has taught classes in health communication strategies and planning, small group and organizational communication, and strategic planning. Her research interests include social and inter-organizational networks, risk communication strategies, public health message design and evaluation, and communication practices between health care providers and clients.
The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center provides the state with health education, outreach and research. Its five components located in communities throughout Texas are Baylor College of Dentistry, the College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology and the School of Rural Public Health.