Penn Dental Medicine: New Leadership in Admissions

Following a national search, Penn Dental Medicine has named new leadership within its Office of Admissions, recruiting Mark Mitchell as assistant dean of admissions and Brian Hahn as director of admissions, effective November 1 and October 1, respectively. Both bring extensive experience in dental school admissions to their new posts. 

“We are eager to welcome both Mark and Brian to our Penn Dental Medicine community,” said Mark S. Wolff, Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean. “I believe they will be a strong team and great resources for both our prospective and current students.”

With 29 years of experience in the field, Mr. Mitchell comes to Penn Dental Medicine from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Dentistry, where, since 2003, he has served as an associate professor and the associate dean for admissions and student affairs. As associate dean, he has been responsible for the areas of recruitment, retention, admissions, student life, registration and enrollment, and diversity and inclusion efforts. Before his time at OHSU, Mr. Mitchell served as director of recruitment and evaluation in the University of Southern California (USC) School of Dentistry’s Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Mr. Mitchell started his career in that office as an admissions representative. At OHSU, he has been active on numerous committees in both the School of Dentistry and the University. 

Brian Hahn is coming to Penn Dental Medicine from Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University, where he has served as director of admissions since 2003. During his time at Temple, Mr. Hahn has managed admissions to Kornberg’s four-year DMD program, its advanced standing DMD program for students with international dental degrees, and its post-baccalaureate program. He also served as faculty advisor for Temple’s undergraduate Pre-Dental Health Society and Undergraduate Student National Dental Association (SNDA).  Before his post at Temple, Mr. Hahn worked as a certified expanded functions dental assistant from 1997 to 2003. 

Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Hahn succeed Olivia Sheridan and Corky Cacas, respectively. Dr. Sheridan, professor of clinical restorative dentistry, who served as assistant and then associate dean of admissions at Penn Dental Medicine since 2007, will continue teaching at Penn Dental Medicine. Ms. Cacas, who retired earlier this year after 26 years as director of admissions, is continuing to support Penn Dental’s Office of Admissions in a part-time role.