Dennis A. Mitchell is the new dean of the College of Dental Medicine (CDM) and senior vice president of the Irving Medical Center at Columbia University in New York City. He has led the college on an interim basis since February.
A faculty member with the Ivy League dental school since 1991, Dr. Mitchell currently holds a faculty appointment as a professor of dental medicine in community health and periodontics at the Irving Medical Center. As an academic, his work has focused on the oral manifestations of HIV, the treatment of periodontal disease and the risk of preterm birth, and the oral health needs of underserved populations. His research led him to co-create the Community DentCare Network for Columbia, an initiative that provides screenings and dental services to underserved patients regardless of their ability to pay. Dr. Mitchell also previously served as director of research and community dentistry at Harlem Hospital.
In addition to his faculty appointments, Dr. Mitchell has spent over a decade as a university administrator. In 2014, he was named senior associate provost for faculty diversity and inclusion. He quickly progressed to other senior positions, all centered on recruiting and retaining high-quality faculty members. Most recently, he was a senior advisor to the president on inclusion and belonging and senior vice provost for faculty advancement.
“This has been a wonderful homecoming for me,” said Dr. Mitchell. “I spent 23 years at CDM before spending more than a decade in university leadership. Throughout my career, whether at 168th Street or in Low Library, I have remained deeply committed to students, faculty development, patient care, and staff support. I look forward to supporting our students, faculty, alumni, and staff as we work to extend and enhance the culture of excellence that is evident in every facet of our work.”
Dr. Mitchell earned his doctor of dental surgery degree from the College of Dentistry at historically Black Howard University in Washington, D.C.
