College of Education and Health Professions Selects Gray, McDermott for New Leadership Roles

The College of Education and Health Professions will welcome Michelle Gray and Brendon McDermott into new leadership roles this summer.

Gray will assume the role of associate dean for academic affairs and research effective July 1, replacing Matt Ganio, who has been named associate dean for graduate education in the Graduate School and International Education.

Gray currently leads the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation (HHPR), and McDermott, a professor of athletic training and exercise science, will take over as department head when Gray moves into her new executive team position.

"Dr. Gray has provided exceptional and forward-thinking leadership as the HHPR department head for the past five years," Dean Kate Mamiseishvili said. "I am excited to have her join our deans' team and bring her enthusiasm, expertise and new ideas to the college level. She is well positioned to help us advance our university's key pillars of student success and research excellence."

Gray brings extensive leadership experience to her new role. In addition to serving as the HHPR department head, she was previously director of the department's Exercise Science Research Center. She also led the college's Honors Program from 2015 to 2022.

Gray is an ambitious researcher who has published over 70 papers, delivered more than 160 abstracts and presentations and served as a principal investigator or a co-PI on $6.6 million in externally funded projects. Her research focuses on improving the quality of life of older adults through interventions to enhance physical function and to detect early cognitive decline. In addition to her scholarly contributions, she is known for her student mentorship, having chaired more than 42 undergraduate theses, 11 master's theses and nine doctoral dissertation committees. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including being named a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. Gray is also involved in one of the longest-running faculty-led study abroad trips in the college, Health Teams Abroad.

McDermott is a leading researcher in thermoregulation and has taught athletic training and exercise science courses in the college for nearly 15 years. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 publications, delivered more than 115 invited and symposium presentations, presented 100 professional abstracts and secured almost $350,000 in external grants and contracts. He served as the clinical education coordinator of the college's Master of Athletic Training program for six years and has regularly collaborated and consulted with external constituents, industry partners, coaches and athletes on heat management strategies, training procedures and emergency preparedness. McDermott has received many accolades for his work, including the Outstanding Service Award from the National Athletic Trainers' Association, the Frank Medina SWATA Award for Athletic Training Impact, the college's George Denny S.T.A.R. Award, the University of Connecticut Distinguished Alumni Award and the Indiana University SPH-B Tony A. Mobley International Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2017, he was named a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.

"Dr. McDermott is well suited and ready to take on this role," Mamiseishvili said. "His deep institutional knowledge, thoughtful and deliberate decision-making style, experience with specialized accreditation, calm and level-headed nature and effective conflict resolution skills make him an ideal candidate for the position."