Meet the President: Dr. Aron Sousa

Dr. Aron Sousa joined the university on Nov. 10, 2025. He is nationally recognized for his leadership in community-based medical education, his promotion of public health research and his efforts to enhance the role of academic medicine in serving society.

Professional Highlights:

• Most recently served as dean of Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine (CHM), a community-based medical school.
• Led MSU’s programming in Flint including the development of the public health program which has passed $500 million in funding in the decade of his leadership. This work included addressing maternal mortality, preventing suicide, addressing child poverty and the university’s response to population-wide lead exposure from the Flint water system. 
• Architect of CHM’s Shared Discovery Curriculum, which provides first year clinical experiences, required interprofessional rotations and includes special certificates for underserved populations, rural medicine, public health, and an indigenous pathway.

Personal Facts:

• Married to Alice Dreger, PhD, an author, historian and journalist.
• He has grown giant sequoias in his basement, enjoys woodworking and gardening, and has made major life decisions in his canoe.
• Earned his MD from Indiana University School of Medicine. Practice specialty: General internist.

Fun Facts:

• Prefers Chicago deep dish over Detroit-style pizza
• Liverpool FC fan