Dr. Elsbeth Kalenderian, professor and dean of Marquette University School of Dentistry, announced the appointment of Dr. Rhoda J. Sword as the new chair of the Department of General Dental Sciences.
Sword joins Marquette from the Dental College of Georgia (DCG) at Augusta University, where she was most recently a professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences, with experiences in course director roles, student success, service and student research. During her nearly 20 years as a full-time faculty member — all at DCG at AU — she served as DCG Skills Development Coordinator, Sophomore Clinic Coordinator, and course director for Introduction to Clinical Dentistry and other courses. Among her many accolades, she was a recipient of the 2023 Dental College of Georgia Teaching Excellence Award and 2022 Augusta University Mental Health Services Award. She was also recently inducted into OKU (Omicron Kappa Upsilon) as a faculty member.
“Dr. Sword’s extensive teaching background, demonstrated leadership experience, and understanding of Marquette’s mission-driven approach to student outcomes and patient care will play a pivotal role in the future of the GDS department,” Kalenderian said. “I look forward to her contributions to our school’s largest unit, and I am confident in our school offering support as she steps into this new role.”
Sword is a 1999 graduate of Baylor University and received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from DCG at AU in 2003. In 2024, she received a Master’s in Public Health in Healthcare Management from AU.
