Dr. Shawn D. Felton is the Department Chair of Health Sciences in the Marieb College of Health & Human Services at Florida Gulf Coast University. Prior to Dr. Felton returning to FGCU in August 2019, he served as Department Chair of Athletic Training and Director of the Doctor of Athletic Training Program at Florida International University where he launched the Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) program The DAT program was the first of its kind in the state of Florida and is one of only six in the nation. Prior to his appointment at FIU, he served from September 2005 till August 2018, as an Associate Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University. In addition to his faculty responsibilities, he served four years and 3 months as the Faculty Senate President and University Trustee and also served as the Vice Chairman for FGCU Board of Trustees, from January 2016 till March 2017. In addition, he was appointed the Chairman of a Special committee of the FGCU BOT charged with developing the 2016-2021 FGCU Strategic Plan.
He has also served on and chaired committees supporting the Florida Board of Governors (BOG). Specifically, he has been appointed to several task forces and committees by the BOG, which continues to facilitate the development of online education within the state of Florida. Shawn was the only faculty member on the online education strategic plan and chaired the quality assurance sub committee. Within this role, the appointed committee developed a strategic plan for online education in the state of Florida.
He has served two years as Vice Chairman of the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates and has assumed the Chair position in August 2018, which ultimately appointed him as a Governor on the Florida Board of Governors.
In addition to his administrative experiences, Dr. Felton is engaged in research activities examining the use of musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound, lower extremity biomechanics and EMG activity, and the use of simulation in allied health care education. Dr. Felton graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Athletic Training and received his Masters of Education from the University of Louisville. He went on to receive his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida. Dr. Felton began his professional career as a graduate assistant at U of L before being promoted to the Assistant Football Athletic Trainer. Prior to his appointment at FGCU, Dr. Felton was the Athletic Training Coordinator for Naples Community Hospital.