Presidential Transition

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.