Dean's Welcome
Welcome to the University of Massachusetts, School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS). It is with great pleasure that I began my position as Dean of the School in early January, 2009. It is a time of potentially great changes to the SPHHS and the University of Massachusetts. As the only public accredited School of Public Health in New England, we recognize the importance of research, education and outreach in our mission. The SPHHS is well poised to continue to improve and grow. The Public Health undergraduate program began in May 2007 and currently has over 100 majors. The undergraduate program in Communication Disorders has grown from 137 to 265 and Kinesiology from 240 to 470 students since 2001. There is no question that these programs will continue to be a strong component of the SPHHS. The graduate program has shown equal growth. The on-line MPH program started in 2001 and has approximately 200 students. The Nutrition department recently began its accredited on-line MPH degree. Our research continues to be a point of pride, with an increase of 34% in the amount of external support received by the School in the last two years.
Unprecedented growth in the SPHHS is due to the accomplishments of the faculty members who are committed in their desire to carry out innovative and interdisciplinary research, provide an excellent education to the students, and make positive impacts on community partners. The increase in both undergraduate and graduate majors reflects the interests of students who have a desire to work in health-related areas and contribute to their communities. What better testament can there be to a bright future for the SPHHS and its graduates.
I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends to make the SPHHS even more productive, and a more welcoming environment for all. Please join me in supporting the SPHHS in all that it does for the community, the Commonwealth, the nation and the world, as we embark on future initiatives in public health and health sciences.
My best wishes,
C. Marjorie Aelion
