A leader in public health education and an expert in health sciences, Dr. Ashley Tharpe has played a vital role in developing and growing Liberty University’s School of Health Sciences online programs. Through integrity and vision-casting, multimillion-dollar budget management, and faculty leadership for a team of 200, Dr. Tharpe is a cornerstone in the academic success of 4,000+ students worldwide. Not only is Dr. Tharpe a central player in the innovations of online health sciences education at Liberty but her advocacy and impact reach across the entire health sciences industry nationwide.★ ★ ★Dr. Tharpe has served Liberty’s School of Health Sciences for 18 years with roles including Online Chair, Assistant Professor, and Associate Dean. In 2018, she was promoted to Associate Professor, and in 2019, she began serving as the Interim Online Dean for the School before earning the full title of Online Dean in 2021. Her leadership highlights include...»» Direct extensive new program development, budgeting, curriculum engineering, and accreditation, providing students with innovative course options including the school’s first online terminal degrees programs.»» Develop, allocate, manage, and optimize a $5M annual staffing and operating budget, delivering fiscal efficacy and efficiency by ensuring a zero-based budget each year and thoroughly justifying all expenses.»» Supported the design and launch of 9 programs in 3 years, including a PhD in Health Sciences and Doctor of Health Sciences programs, resulting in 330 graduates in the first year.»» Strategically revamped the Virginia Public Health Association’s brand identity and improved the professional association’s awareness and engagement, growing membership by 30%.»» Increased Liberty University’s online enrollment by 20% for two consecutive years, continuing enrollment momentum despite the pandemic.★ ★ ★Through extensive university service and professional involvement, Dr. Tharpe has helped shape the online landscape for health science and public health students beyond Liberty University’s footprint. Her impact extends to the national health sciences community and includes service and leadership to the Virginia Public Health Association where she currently sits as Past-President, the Virginia Immunization Coalition where she sits on the Communications Committee, and ongoing involvement with various committees and task forces throughout the Liberty community.