Salus University of Elkins Park is removing Dr. Melissa Trego (pictured above), dean of its Pennsylvania College of Optometry since 2017, which has sparked an outcry from faculty and students, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

According to the article, more than 360 students along with 55 faculty members in the optometry college have approved a vote of no confidence in president Michael Mittelman and provost Gerard O’Sullivan.

“Dr. Mittelman’s decision to remove Dr. Melissa Trego, the current dean, who has been an outstanding leader for the past eight years, has created widespread concern and discontent among faculty, staff, students, and alumni,” faculty wrote in a letter. “Dr. Trego’s leadership has been pivotal in advancing the college’s academic programs, supporting PCO students and faculty, and ensuring the fiscal stability of the college.”

A Change.org petition with 1,994 signatures at the time of this writing was launched on Wednesday. An excerpt:

Dr. Melissa Trego isn’t just a Dean, she’s the heart of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO). She personifies the values of our institution – advocating for students, leading with strong morals, and demonstrating educational excellence. Her sudden dismissal from PCO is not merely the loss of a Dean, but a blow to the backbone of our college.

With decades of experience in academia, Dr. Trego has consistently shown herself to be an outstanding leader and educator. Her dedication to ensuring that all voices are heard and valued has given us the confidence that we, as students and faculty, matter.

An interim dean is expected to be appointed soon, the university said.

“This change reflects Salus’ continued commitment to improving the academic performance of the optometry program, and it follows multiple years of declining National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) scores,” Salus said in a statement. “We can and we must do better to prepare our students for success in the classroom and beyond, and for this reason, the leadership change at PCO is the correct course for our future.”

On July 1, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) approved the merger of Salus University with Drexel.

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Photo: Salus University