Beginning this year, the Indiana University School of Dentistry will centralize the three individual offices of Academic Affairs; Admissions and Student Affairs; and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion under one umbrella office. Dr. Paul Edwards will lead the new Office of Academic Programs.

The goal of this centralization is to focus on student success from a holistic perspective, working as one unified team to enhance collaboration among student support personnel and to reduce redundancies.

Dr. Edwards joined the IU School of Dentistry in 2013 as a professor in the Department of Oral Pathology, Medicine, and Radiology. He was appointed interim associate dean of academic affairs in 2018 and is overseeing the dental school’s preparation for the Commission on Dental Accreditation site visit in 2020.

“Dr. Edwards has earned the high esteem of students, faculty, and staff,” said Dr. John N. Williams, dean. “I have great confidence in how he is leading us toward accreditation in 2020. He is extremely knowledgeable and is an excellent listener and leader.”

Dr. Edwards came to Indiana University from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, where he directed the Advanced Education Program in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. He received his D.D.S. from the University of Toronto. He was in private practice for nine years before completing advanced specialty training in oral and maxillofacial pathology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York. He continues to be course director of oral and maxillofacial pathology.

Indiana University presented Dr. Edwards with the Trustees Teaching Award in 2017, and IUPUI recognized him with the Faculty of Character Award in 2018.