One of my priorities as dean is to not only ensure that our school excels in teaching, research and service but to foster an environment in which these three critical mission areas complement each other to create a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

Dr. Elizabeth Armstrong-Mensah’s selection as the 2023 ASPPH Early Career Teaching Excellence Award winner is an example of this kind of synergy. She was chosen for this international honor for her outstanding classroom instruction but also for fostering research skills among students through the Undergraduate and Graduate Research and Publications Club. She builds connections among students, faculty and the broader public health community through the MeTa Series, which will reach a milestone by holding its 10^th social mixer on Thursday, March 9. Through its panel discussions and networking opportunities, the MeTa Series benefits our students and alumni tremendously. I hope to see many of you there next week.

Similarly, the research conducted by faculty in the Prevention Research Center played an important role in helping secure federal funding to expand Georgia State’s Community Based English Program in Clarkston. The ability to read, write and speak English fluently is a key determinant of health and well-being for refugees, immigrants and migrants—as well as for their children and families. Without a doubt, our faculty and staff are making a difference in the lives of the people from around the world who call Clarkston home.

Finally, the students featured in the Student Spotlight profiles this month point out that their time as teaching assistants and as research assistants for the Center for Leadership in Disability and the Mindful Living Lab have been formative experiences that help prepare them for impactful careers in public health after graduation.

It’s hard to believe, but today is the midpoint of Spring Semester. We have plenty of accomplishments to celebrate already and plenty more to look forward to in the months ahead. Thanks to all of you for your dedication to our teaching, research and service missions.

Sincerely,

Rodney Lyn, Ph.D., MS
Dean and Professor

Public health at Georgia State has grown significantly over the past several years. What started as a single graduate certificate program in 2002 is now a standalone School of Public Health with a full complement of degree programs and record levels of research and outreach.

Our recently adopted Vision 2027 Strategic Plan will guide our school’s continued growth over the next five years, and it places health equity at the forefront of our mission. Faculty, staff and students at the School of Public Health are excited about our shared future and invite you to partner with us as we continue to grow and thrive.

In this 2022 Impact Report, we highlight some examples of how the School of Public Health advances health equity through teaching, research and community engagement. Alumni and other donors are essential partners in our mission through their support of student scholarships, faculty recruitment and retention, and our research and outreach centers.

The past several years have emphasized the foundational role of public health in our society. Your gifts to the School of Public Health transform the lives of students and advance health equity across our state and world. I am deeply grateful to the many donors who have supported our mission in 2022 and invite you to consider additional opportunities to support our growing school this year and beyond.

Sincerely,

Rodney Lyn, Ph.D., MS
Dean and Professor

Alumni of the Georgia State University School of Public Health connect their expertise with the needs of communities here in Atlanta and around the world. In conjunction with our Vision 2027 Strategic Plan, we are launching this quarterly newsletter to better connect you with your alma mater and with each other.

Opportunities to engage with our students and faculty abound. Through our mentoring program, accomplished alumni share their expertise with promising students and offer their perspectives on public health careers, networking, and other professional opportunities. Our Currents of Public Health webinar series connects alumni with faculty and with each other. The September 1 webinar features the SPH’s Dr. Elizabeth Armstrong-Mensah, while the September 29 webinar features a panel of distinguished alumni. Our annual Lutzker Lecture will feature  Dr. Iheoma Iruka from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who will discuss “Centering Race and Racism in Developmental Science” on September 12.

Health equity is a key theme of our recently adopted Vision 2027 Strategic Plan, which will guide our efforts to solve contemporary and emerging health issues through education, research, and community engagement. As someone who has earned a public health degree from Georgia State, you are uniquely positioned to help advance our mission. Please continue to stay engaged with the School of Public Health, and I hope to see you soon—whether on campus or through one of our many online events.

Sincerely,