Landis-Piwowar, a senior academic leader with a background in health care, comes to UHart from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where she most recently held the roles of vice provost of academic affairs and acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
As dean of ENHP, Landis-Piwowar will lead a college of more than 1,500 students that is home to some of UHart’s most popular programs, including nursing, physical therapy, radiologic technology, and special education.
“Dr. Kristin Landis-Piwowar brings exactly the kind of transformative, collaborative leadership that the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions needs at this pivotal moment,” said incoming Provost Nancy LaGreca, who participated in the search. “She has demonstrated time and again that she can make the decisions required to keep academic programs relevant and responsive to workforce demands, while simultaneously inspiring faculty and building the external partnerships that open doors for our students.”
Kristin Landis-Piwowar, Incoming Dean, College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions"I’m inspired by ENHP’s strong foundation and look forward to working together to shape its next chapter, one that strengthens our impact across education, nursing, and the health professions, and meaningfully serves the region and its evolving needs"
As vice provost of academic affairs at Oakland, Landis-Piwowar led major institutional initiatives such as university accreditation, curriculum reform, strategic planning, and student success. She worked to improve the registration experience, redesign the process for identifying students in need of academic support, and increase college graduation rates among first-generation students.
Landis-Piwowar is a professor in Oakland’s School of Health Sciences and served as its associate dean from 2017 to 2021. She has published work related to cancer therapeutics, prevention, and mechanisms of disease. Her more recent work is focused on deciphering a familial connection among the B cell lymphoproliferative neoplasms, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and hairy cell leukemia.
“It is a privilege to join the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions and to become part of a community so deeply committed to student success and professional excellence,” said Landis-Piwowar. “I’m inspired by ENHP’s strong foundation and look forward to working together to shape its next chapter, one that strengthens our impact across education, nursing, and the health professions, and meaningfully serves the region and its evolving needs.”
Landis-Piwowar earned a doctoral degree in cancer biology from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, a master’s degree from Michigan State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University. She succeeds Brian Swanson, who has served as interim dean since July 2025.