The Sonoran University Board of Trustees is honored and delighted to announce the selection of Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, MBA, as Sonoran University’s fourth president and first woman to lead the institution. Our current president of 25 years, Paul Mittman, ND, EdD, announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2025. Dr. Alschuler will assume the role of President & CEO on July 1.
Dr. Alschuler’s selection follows a national search with leadership and participation from trustees, alumni, students, staff, and faculty. Nearly 50 applicants sought the opportunity to advance Sonoran’s mission to shape a healthier future through education, healthcare, and research. Dr. Alschuler consistently demonstrated her qualities as a passionate, collaborative, and visionary leader throughout the search process. She is committed to advancing the healing power of nature as a distinguishing feature of Sonoran University while guiding the institution through its next stages of growth and development.
Dr. Alschuler currently serves as Associate Director of the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Arizona. She holds an undergraduate degree in Medical Anthropology from Brown University, a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University, and an Executive MBA from Quantic University.
Dr. Alschuler is also a best-selling author on integrative cancer approaches, researcher in natural health, successful entrepreneur, highly sought after speaker and thought leader in the $300 billion natural products industry, and an accomplished academic administrator, practitioner, and educator. Her commitment to the healthcare community includes volunteer leadership roles with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
Dr. Alschuler’s extensive background in higher education, naturopathic medicine, the natural products industry, and entrepreneurship uniquely positions her for leadership of Sonoran University. Her professional career and leadership in a variety of areas ties directly to Sonoran’s functional areas including academics, research, clinical care, and retail.
Andrew Weil, MD; Lovell-Jones Professor of Integrative Medicine Professor of Public Health Clinical Professor of Medicine Founder, University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
Fran Towey; Sonoran University Board of Trustees Chair
Rosanne Sheinberg, MD, ABoIM; Assoc. Professor, Dir. of Resident Wellness, Dept. of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine
Dugald Seely, ND, MSc, FABNO; Exec. Director, CCNM Patterson Institute for Integrative Oncology Research, Founder & CEO Centre for Health Innovation
Soma Sengupta, MD, Ph.D., MBA, FRCP (UK), FAAN, FANA; Clinical Professor of Neurology, Division Chief of Neuro-Oncology Neuro-Oncology Trial Leader for the Cancer Center, Vice Chair of Research, Department of Neurosurgery, Co-Director of the Neurofibromatosis Program, Associate Editor of Clinical Medicine (Neurology), School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Karolyn A. Gazella; Author, Podcast Host, and Founder of the Natural Medicine Journal
Corey Murphy; OncANP Executive Director
Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, FACN, CNS, IFMCP
Amita S. Nathwani; Ayurvedic Medicine, Surya Health and Wellness, Fellowship Faculty, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
The Board of Trustees engaged with Academic Search to support the national search for Sonoran University’s next president, and selected a committee of trustees, faculty (including alumni), staff, and student representatives to support the search process.
The Presidential Profile was created by the Board with support from our external search firm, Academic Search, using feedback from the entire campus. In the profile, the Board of Trustees stated the following required qualifications: demonstrated commitment to the healing power of nature, a terminal degree, and a successful track record of leadership. All qualifications can be viewed in the Position Profile.