Mercy College of Ohio Welcomes Dr. Trevor M. Bates as New President
Mercy College of Ohio is pleased to announce the appointment of Trevor M. Bates, DHSc, AT, as its fifth president, effective May 6. With a distinguished record of leadership and a deep-seated passion for healthcare education, Dr. Bates is poised to lead Mercy College into a bright future.
"I am honored to lead the Mercy College community and am eager to collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders to further our mission," Dr. Bates said. His enthusiasm for the college's mission is profound as he embarks on this new journey.
Dr. Bates is no stranger to Mercy College, having served as Vice President of Academic Affairs from 2017 to 2020.
"I'm very grateful and blessed to rejoin Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH), specifically serving Mercy College of Ohio, working alongside my outstanding faculty and staff colleagues! In the time I've been away, there have been many campus improvements, new opportunities for students, and enhanced engagement with BSMH," Dr. Bates added, highlighting his eagerness to contribute to the college's ongoing progress. “Leading with our Catholic values, we will collaborate within the healthcare and higher education communities to continue advancing our mission and help students discover the intersection of career and meaning at Mercy College of Ohio!”
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Bates back to the ministry and look forward to his leadership as Mercy College continues to educate future generations of healthcare workers,” said Bob Baxter, president, Mercy Health – Toledo. “Mercy Health and Mercy College have long collaborated on building a healthcare workforce to ensure that our communities continue to thrive. We will be vigilant and forward thinking as we build healthcare education programs that best serve the needs of our patients.”
Steven Sondergaard, chair of the Mercy College Board of Trustees, expressed confidence in Dr. Bates' ability to lead the institution forward. "The other Trustees and I are confident that Dr. Bates possesses the vision, experience, and leadership qualities needed to guide Mercy College into its next chapter of excellence and growth," Sondergaard said. "His dedication to student success, innovation, and community engagement will undoubtedly propel Mercy College forward in fulfilling its role in shaping the future of healthcare professionals."
Dr. Bates brings extensive academic experience to his new role, holding a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Millikin University, a Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Doctorate in Health Sciences from AT Still University of Health Sciences. His most recent tenure in academia includes serving as President of Wilmington College, as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Mercy College of Ohio, and as Founding Associate Dean of Health Sciences at Heidelberg University. Outside of higher education, Dr. Bates served as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Innovation for True Empowering LLC.
In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Bates is actively engaged in various volunteer appointments in healthcare and has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the 2024 Outstanding Educator Award from the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association and the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - College of Applied Health Sciences.
Dr. Bates and his wife, Kassandra, are in the process of relocating to the Toledo area.