Skip to main content
UMass Collegiate M The University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give
  • Search UMass.edu
School of Public Health & Health Sciences School of Public Health & Health Sciences

Main navigation

  • Academics

    Academic programs

    BiostatisticsCommunity Health EducationEnvironmental Health SciencesEpidemiologyHealth Policy and ManagementKinesiologyNutritionProfessional ProgramsPublic Health SciencesSpeech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
    Graduate AdmissionsUMass AdmissionsFinancial aid and scholarshipsFaculty directoryCourses
  • Research
    Center for Community Health Equity ResearchCenter for Program EvaluationInstitute for Global Health
    Research news and highlightsResearch areasResearch centers and institutesResearch Administration Office (RAO)
  • Campus & Outreach
    Academic Dean & Office of Academic SuccessCenter for Language, Speech, and HearingOffice of Career PlanningOffice of Public Health Practice and OutreachSupport SPHHS
  • About
    AccreditationDiversity, Equity and InclusionNewsEventsDirectory
    Resources for current studentsResources for faculty & staffVisit usContact usSenior Recognition Ceremony

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. News

Dean’s Message – February 2023

February 27, 2023 Community

Content

Dean Anna Maria Siega-Riz
Dean Anna Maria Siega-Riz

This month was filled with exciting news. We heard from UMass system President Marty Meehan who our next chancellor will be: Dr. Javier Reyes, currently interim chancellor at the University of Illinois in Chicago. I am excited to have at the helm a fellow Latino who has been a supporter of diversity excellence, engaging communities with university activities, and building a welcoming climate for all individuals. He is a strong advocate of transformative educational practices (e.g., internships, community services, immersion in real-world experiences). One of his comments concerning Black History Month really resonated with me – that it should not be the only month where we offer programming showcasing the amazing work of Black in America, but rather a celebration of what we do every day at UMass to educate, highlight, and support the work of Blacks in America.  

In that vein, I am delighted to announce that we have successfully hired our first fulltime assistant dean for diversity, equity and belonging-- Dr. Rodmon King. This fulfills a promise we made over two years ago that in order for public health and health sciences to fulfill its vision to “Serve, Inspire, and Improve Quality of Life and Health Equity for the Commonwealth and Beyond” we must have an individual on the senior leadership team who has the expertise, talent, and skillset to inspire the best in everyone, regardless of their “ism,” in a civil and respectful manner, and who has made this their mission to lead our efforts in the school. Dr. Rodmon King possess these attributes and we are thrilled to have him here at UMass. Please join me in welcoming him to our community.

I also want to highlight and applaud the work of our Black faculty: Linnea Evans (HPP), Sofiya Alhassan (KIN), Lindiwe Sibeko (NUTR), Raphael Arku (EHS), and Nathaniel Whitmal (SLHS). Through their research they are investigating aspects of our social, environmental, and biological factors that contribute to health disparities with an aspiration of developing programs and/or policies which will promote health equity and a better world for all. In the classroom, they serve as role models and mentors to our BIPOC students. And as with all our faculty, they promote growth mindset through classroom discussion and activities that encourages students to be aware of one’s biases, the need for cultural humility, and how to respectfully engage in difficult discussions.

Lastly, I want to make sure our community is aware that The Office of Equity and Inclusion is accepting applications for 2023-24 Campus Climate Improvement Grants from March 1-17. Undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to submit their proposals for projects that thoughtfully address challenges to climate and belonging, either locally or campus-wide.

Finally, please remember to support and attend our inaugural Health Innovators Challenge event on March 8th from 1 to 3pm in LSL S330 with a reception to follow. See you all there.

Article posted in Community for Faculty , Staff , Current students , and Alumni

Related research

  • Health Equity

Site footer

School of Public Health & Health Sciences
  • X
  • Find us on Facebook
  • Find us on YouTube
  • Find us on LinkedIn
  • Find us on Instagram
Address

Arnold House
715 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003
United States

Academics

  • Explore our programs
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Certificate
  • Post Baccalaureate

Research

  • Research News
  • Research Areas
  • Research Centers & Institutes

The School

  • About SPHHS
  • News
  • Events
  • Directory
  • Visit
  • Contact

Info for...

  • Current students
  • Faculty & staff

Global footer

  • ©2025 University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Site policies
  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination notice
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of use