Dr. Julie Senita at Spring 2026 nursing pinning ceremony.

Lakeland Community College has named Dr. Julie Senita as its new dean of health professions following an extensive nationwide search.

Senita, who spent the past academic year leading Lakeland’s nursing program, brings more than two decades of regional higher education and healthcare leadership experience to the role. In her new position, she will oversee all health-related academic programs at the college, driving student success initiatives and expanding community health partnerships.

"Dr. Senita possesses a proven track record of strategic leadership, combining academic rigor with a deep dedication to student success and operational excellence," said John R. Crooks, Ph.D., interim provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. "We are pleased to welcome her into this broader leadership capacity."

Before joining Lakeland, Senita held key administrative and academic roles at Kent State University. Most recently, she served as the administrator for the associate degree nursing program across four Ohio campuses, driving curriculum, accreditation, and quality outcomes for the College of Applied and Technical Studies. Concurrently, she spent several years as the senior program director for nursing and allied health at Kent State University at Ashtabula.

An associate professor of nursing since 2004, Senita began her career in the regional healthcare landscape as an acute care and administrative educator at the Ashtabula County Medical Center, a Cleveland Clinic affiliate, before transitioning to higher education full-time. Throughout her career, she has consistently guided nursing and allied health programs to licensure exam pass rates and job placement metrics that meet or exceed state and national averages.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Gannon University, as well as a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction and a postgraduate teaching certificate from Kent State University.

The college extends its gratitude to EMT-paramedic program director, Dan Solomon for his leadership as interim dean, as well as the members of the search committee for their dedication to the selection process.

By: Levi Rex, Asst Director Market & Communi