We have a grand mission, and we make a huge impact on many levels. Nearly every day, every year, one of our faculty members or students publishes a groundbreaking report that changes how people see an issue. Each day some of the best students anywhere are taught by our accomplished faculty members. And those students leave here to become tomorrow's public health leaders as the students before them have done for 70 years!

Still, by design, our School fosters a collegial, supportive environment in which students work closely with faculty, staff, practitioners and other students. Students are our partners. The quality of our educational programs reflects excellence in education, research and practice. Our faculty members are among the most talented teachers and scholars in the nation. Yet, they are accessible and committed to students and teaching. Our staff are among the finest anywhere.

Our School balances leading-edge research with an emphasis on engaged, informed, community-based practice that focuses especially on reducing health problems of diverse populations. A deep commitment to discovery and application guides our educational programs, research initiatives and practice activities across the state, nation and the world. Our view of public health is broad and inclusive. Students, faculty, staff and alumni approach public health problems with a diversity of perspectives and methods, including those of the biological, physical, social and behavioral sciences. Such a broad scope of activity creates unparalleled opportunities for interdisciplinary inquiry, engaged scholarship, innovation and impact. We look at the world's great challenges and respond by solving them. We're solutions people. We anticipate future health problems and, together, accelerate solutions to them.

We're here for you. We welcome your questions and comments about the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Please contact us for more information. Feel free to e-mail me directly at brimer@unc.edu.