Taylor Officially Named Dean of Ferris State University’s Michigan College of Optometry

Taylor Officially Named Dean of Ferris State University’s Michigan College of Optometry

Dr. Daniel Taylor, who had been serving as Interim Dean of the Michigan College of Optometry (MCO) since August 2021, is now officially MCO’s Dean. On Monday, April 17, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Bobby Fleischman announced Taylor has accepted an appointment as MCO Dean following a search process.

Taylor, the Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs for MCO since July 2021, is excited to continue leading the work to advance the college.

“It’s a great privilege to be appointed Dean. To work with the exceptional faculty and staff and world-class students of MCO is an enviable position for any administrator,” Taylor said. “I am excited to work with all Ferris State University community members to provide the best optometric education and primary eye care in the world.”

Taylor earned his Doctorate of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry (SCO) in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2006, before completing a Primary Care Optometry Fellowship from SCO in 2008 while earning a Master of Science in Cancer and Cell Development Biology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, in 2008. Taylor further enhanced his academic credentials in 2016, earning his Doctorate of Education in Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Memphis and receiving a Bachelor’s degree in geography. In 2022, Taylor completed a Master of Business Administration from Ferris State University, a Graduate Certificate in Finance from Ohio University, and became a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry with a diplomate in optometric education.

A published scholar multiple times over, Taylor is an ideal choice to lead the Michigan of Optometry into the future, Fleischman said.

“We’re extremely pleased that Dr. Taylor has accepted our offer to become the next Dean of the Michigan College of Optometry,” the Provost said. “As the Dean of Michigan’s only optometry college, he brings an outstanding background of proven experience and solid academic credentials that will benefit our faculty and students as the college seeks to meet the needs of our communities in Michigan and beyond.”