Shortie McKinney

Dr. Shortie McKinney, former dean of the College of Health Professions at Marshall University, is dean of the School of Health and Environment.     

Prior to her post at Marshall, McKinney was associate dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences at Drexel University, where she also chaired the Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology. She is a professor of nutrition.  

McKinney holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from Ohio State University and a B.S. from Marshall University. She interned at the Indiana University Medical Center. Among honors and awards, she has been named a Fellow of the American Dietetic Association in 1995, received the Lindback Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching at Drexel in 1994, and the Pennsylvania Dietetic Association Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award in 1999.

At Marshall, the College of Health Professions has departments of Nursing, Clinical Lab Science, Communication Disorders, Dietetics, Respiratory Therapy and Social Work. Under McKinney’s leadership, new programs have been developed in medical imaging and physical therapy; under development are programs in public health and health informatics. The nursing bachelor’s degree program has expanded, adding seven faculty and two staff.

Through her research interests in health disparities and health behaviors, McKinney led a team at Drexel that obtained more than $4.5 million in federal funding for nutrition education. The program has continued, currently employing 13 staff. At Marshall, she initiated a similar program, bringing $500,000 into the university.

McKinney has worked to foster diversity and a global experience for all students. At Marshall, she has developed a global health course and study abroad program in collaboration with educators in China.