M. Susan Guyer Named Dean of Springfield College School of Physical Education, Performance and Sport Leadership

Springfield College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Martha Potvin announced that M. Susan Guyer, DPE, has been named dean of the School of Physical Education, Performance and Sport Leadership. Guyer had been serving as interim dean since January 2020.

Guyer has been a faculty member at Springfield College since receiving her Doctor of Physical Education degree from Springfield College in 2003. Most recently, Guyer served as the chair of the Springfield College Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training for the previous four years.

“I believe that Springfield College has identified the right person at the right time to continue to build on the legacy and traditions of this storied school,” said Potvin. “She clearly lives the Springfield College mission every day, and has demonstrated that she has the background and skills to lead the school through the dynamic changes that higher education is experiencing.”

During her time at Springfield College, Guyer has remained committed to providing programs that not only benefit the students, faculty, and staff on the campus community, but initiatives that also better our surrounding community.

In 2017, Guyer was named the Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics, and focused on a year-long vision to foster collaborative relationships and leadership on campus between exercise, health and other disciplines. Her vision brought together campus and community members across multiple disciplines to discover, share, and adopt the principles of the exercise is medicine program, and assisted in helping change the culture of chronic disease prevention and management.

“I am very excited to be given the opportunity to lead the School of Physical Education, Performance and Sport Leadership, and build on the foundation that those before me have established,” said Guyer. “I look forward to expanding on our traditional programs in a new and innovative way as we face a paradigm shift in higher education. I also strongly believe in our Humanics philosophy and giving back to our surrounding community.”

During Guyer’s time at the College, she has built strong community partnerships and has hosted multiple symposiums that benefit the health of the campus community members and surrounding community neighbors. Guyer has annually collaborated with Baystate Rehabilitation Care to lead programs that highlight the importance of fitting exercise into a person’s daily routine. In addition, Guyer also has worked with health experts from Baystate Medical Center, the New England Center for Functional Medicine, and the Springfield College Nutritional Sciences Program to host an annual Heart Health Symposium on the campus.

In October 2018, Guyer was honored by the Springfield City Council with a proclamation recognizing her commitment to creating collaborative health initiatives within the city of Springfield to improve the overall health of all citizens.

Guyer has received numerous national accolades from her professional association including: the National Athletic Training Association Service Award, the National Athletic Training Association Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, and the Gail Weldon Award of Excellence for her service. These awards represent her continued contributions to service, professional development, mentoring and leadership.

Prior to her arrival at Springfield College, Guyer earned her Master of Science Degree in athletic training from Old Dominion University, and she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in athletic training, with a dual minor in sports science/fitness and coaching, from Castleton State College.

Springfield College is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 4,100 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its regional campuses across the country. Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy – educating in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.