Texas A & M College of Dentistry
Faces in New Places
Texas A & M College of Dentistry recently announced changes among its administration
by LaDawn Brock
Dr . Charles W . Berry , former associate dean for academic affairs , has assumed the role of special assistant to the dean . In this new role , Berry will serve as director of accreditation in preparation for the dental school ’ s accreditation site visit in 2018 .
Berry earned a bachelor ’ s degree in biology from Hendrix College in Conway , Arkansas ; a master ’ s degree in bacteriology from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston , Louisiana ; and a doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry from Baylor University in Waco , Texas .
“ Dr . Berry has carried the College through no fewer than six successful comprehensive accreditation site visits ,” said Dr . Lawrence Wolinsky , College of Dentistry dean . “ I can think of no one better than him to have in this important position . I also want to thank him for the wonderful years of service and dedication he has given to the college as associate dean .”
Dr . Paul C . Dechow , Regents Professor , has been named associate dean for academic affairs . Previously , he served as biomedical sciences department head .
In his new role , Dechow is responsible for ensuring that the needs of the college and its departments and faculty are met through continuous monitoring of academic issues and ongoing implementation and evaluation of faculty promotion and tenure . He also will lead faculty development and strategic planning , student curriculum , student examination processes and student due process , as well as coordinating requests for annual faculty evaluation and managing the faculty scholarly activity database . Dechow is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal , state and local regulatory requirements related to the Office of Academic Affairs , and he assumes fiscal responsibility for all academic affairs operations . In addition , he
will serve as the American Dental Association ’ s Commission on Dental Accreditation self-study and site visit coordinator for the college .
Dechow earned a bachelor ’ s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and a doctorate from the University of Chicago . He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor , Michigan .
Leigh Ann Wyatt is the new program director for the Caruth School of Dental Hygiene in addition to her role as clinical assistant professor . She is responsible for the recruitment and admission of dental hygiene students as well as overseeing orientation , curriculum , course schedules and graduation . Additionally , Wyatt is tasked with the accreditation self-study ensuring the dental hygiene program meets CODA requirements in addition to the Western
12 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www . northtexasdentistry . com