Chang named Assistant Dean for Admissions

Steven Chang, MS, PhD, has been named Assistant Dean for Admissions at the School of Dentistry, effective July 13, 2026.

Chang completed his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1999, his Bachelor of Science in Behavior, Cognition and Neuroscience in 2001, and his Master of Science in Biology in 2006, all from the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario. He then completed his PhD in Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University in 2013.

He spent the last ten-plus years of his career at the University of Detroit Mercy, where he served as an Assistant Professor of Biology, Core Lead and Director of Student Training on an $21.2 million multi-institutional grant to expand opportunities for underrepresented students, and finally as Executive Director of Admissions for the School of Dentistry. As Executive Director of Admissions, he grew the DDS program’s applications for seven consecutive cycles, provided strategic leadership for admissions and pathways programs, built pipeline agreements with undergraduate programs and increased the enrollment of historically underrepresented students. In 2024, he took on the recruitment and matriculation of the newly-launched optometry program, while maintaining his responsibilities for the School of Dentistry.

Chang is a member of several professional associations, including the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP). He has presented on topics related to dental education, admissions, diversity, equity and inclusion, workforce development, organizational leadership and more. He is committed to equity, access and student wellbeing and embraces a collaborative approach to leadership.

In his spare time, Chang enjoys traveling around the world. Recent memorable trips and experiences include whale watching in Greenland, volcano sandboarding in Nicaragua and parasailing in Colombia.

Chang assumes the role from Paul Jardine, BSc, DUT, PhD, who has served as Interim Director of Admissions since 2023. “I am grateful to Dr. Jardine for his excellent work over the past three years leading the Office of Admissions,” shared Marcia Campos, DDS, MS, PhD, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in an email to the school announcing the change. “Please join me in thanking Dr. Jardine for his service and welcoming Dr. Chang to the school and this role.”