ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FACILITATORS’ THOUGHTS ON WORKING WITH THE TEAM:

This collaboration is beneficial in bridging our shared interests between departments and strengthening our University’s overall commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Lucienne Dorrance Auz, Ph.D. Assistant Professor University of Memphis College of Communication & Fine Arts Modern and Contemporary Art History Department of Art

I appreciate the opportunity to participate in the RWJF program to provide insight drawn from our shared experiences and my work at the law school. Yet, the discipline differences make our obstacles unique—so I have learned much from the other team members as well.

Demetria D. Frank Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion Associate Professor of Law University of Memphis

Xinhua Yu, MD, PhD, MS Associate Professor of Epidemiology, PhD Program Coordinator for Epidemiology

mentorship from experienced DEI leaders, the UofM SPH strives to imbed principles of diversity, equity and inclusion into the SPH vision & mission, and develop a strategic plan that encompasses DEI priorities, recommendations and an action plan.

Developing a culture and climate of belonging is central to my role in the College of Education. However, serving as an external member of the guiding team has allowed me to extend this work beyond our college.

Steve Zanskas, Ph.D., CRC, LPC (MI & WI) Past-President ARCA, TCA, & TACES Professor & Associate Dean College of Education University of Memphis

The School of Public Health is proud to sponsor the Academic Equity Fellowship (AEF) program as part of our Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant Transforming Academia for Equity. The AEF program provides mentorship of underrepresented doctoral students and master’s level students aspiring to enter doctoral training. It is designed to enhance the pathways of the next generation of diverse scholars.

Leo Rule Graduate Student MPH in Epidemiology

As an undergraduate student majoring in Biology, Leo’s academic interests were centered around scientific research in the healthcare field, which originally inspired him to attend medical school. After choosing to take a gap year before going to med school, Leo learned about the UofM School of Public Health Master of Public Health program and decided to pursue it.

Throughout his early studies and coursework in the field, Leo realized that he enjoyed the study of public health. He began to narrow down his focus and interests from the individual level that initially pointed him toward medical school, to research at the population level, studying what affects people’s health before they get to the clinic.

He then chose to dedicate his full attention to public health studies and research. His practicum focused on addressing the housing needs and health outcomes of people living with HIV in Memphis.

For Leo, a big highlight of the MPH program has been the opportunity to apply his learning from the classroom in a handson way. Leo reflects that studying in Memphis has been thought-provoking by seeing the ways that discriminatory policies and practices of the past still impact modern community health and wellbeing, and that many of the barriers that continue to affect Memphians have been in place for decades. knowledge and experience to analyze data and conduct research that can assist public health leaders make more informed decisions and improve health outcomes for the Memphis population. University of Memphis | School of Public Health

Having a desire to be part of the solution, these observations motivated Leo to pursue research and career opportunities with organizations that try to address many of these issues along with health inequalities in Memphis.