Faculty life

We want students with backgrounds as diverse as our own – who work well with others, ask tough questions, cultivate respect towards each other, and who have a sense of humor about themselves. The thriving working relationships we see all around us – among faculty, students and alumni – can be traced back to this commitment. – Faculty member. As the comment above suggests, faculty in the Department don’t simply talk about community.  They create it: through the students they recruit, the research studies they conduct, the classes they teach, and the opportunities they embrace for intellectual exchange. In a University known for its open doors, our Department is generally acknowledged to be among the most welcoming. Light teaching loads allow faculty to excel as research scientists while still having time to get to know their students. Classroom experiences offer multiple opportunities for small group work and work in communities. Yet much of our teaching comes in the form of one-on-one exchanges. Faculty members hire students to work on their research projects. Academic and practicum advisors counsel students on what courses to take, what jobs to pursue, and on strategies for finishing a project. Thesis and dissertation advisors mentor students through major intellectual endeavors. Faculty can explain why they invest so much time in creating community. They know from experience that a mix of smart and curious scientists, students, alumni and community members creates alchemy. From these multiple perspectives come compelling questions, strong studies, and real life change. For example, working with colleagues and students, our faculty members study how the built environment influences health choices. They design and test innovative strategies for reducing teen dating violence and adolescent drug and alcohol use through school- and family-based programs. They investigate ways to increase breast cancer screening or diabetes testing among African Americans. They investigate the impact of tax policies on people who purchase tobacco products from the Internet. The list goes on. Indeed, faculty in the Department have a very strong portfolio of grants and research projects funded by public and private entities, including the NIH, CDC, the American Cancer Society, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and many others. Bonds formed in this academic crucible often last a lifetime. Long after they have graduated, alumni contact faculty asking for career guidance or help on a project. Similarly, faculty stay in touch by email, look up former students at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, or often continue publishing with mentees who have gone on to other institutions. For more information, visit our faculty and staff page.

Last updated June 18, 2008