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Dean's Message - November 2024

November 26, 2024 Community

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Dean Anna Maria Siega-Riz (center) poses with with (l-r) David Blackwell '16MPH, Leslie Chambers '79, '85MS, and SPHHS advisory board members Debra Wein and Charles Pozner '84
Dean Anna Maria Siega-Riz (center) poses with (l-r) David Blackwell '16MPH, Leslie Chambers '79, '85MS, and SPHHS advisory board members Debra Wein and Charles Pozner '84

This November, we hosted our 10 Days of Gratitude initiative and supported the UMass Nutrition Association’s student food drive. Both of these annual traditions remind us how important it is to share with others - whether it be an expression of the people and things for which we are grateful, or lending a hand for those who might need one. As we head into the final days of the semester and the final month of 2024, I'd urge you to remember these are ideals we should all be striving for on a daily basis.

I had the pleasure of meeting a number of our alumni during the UMass football game on November 16th and at a dinner in Washington, D.C. a few days later. It's always such a pleasure to meet our graduates - whether they are well established in their careers, or just getting started - as they serve as tangible reminders of the impact we make. The instruction and mentorship we provide now is helping to shape our students’ lives – and in another year or two or ten, if we are lucky, we get to witness the return on our investment in their futures.

This month, we also wished bon voyage to our dear friend Rod King, our first ever assistant dean for diversity, inclusion, and belonging. In a little over a year and a half, Dr. King has made a tremendous impact by fostering inclusive practices and creating a community of belonging within the school. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors, both professional and personal.

Speaking of the future, I hope you'll join me in shaping our school’s legacy by signing the SPHHS Hub's final structural beam and selecting furniture pieces that will be used in our new building. As part of our building planning, we will be holding a “sit test” in LGRC A112 from December 3rd through 5th to evaluate potential furniture options. The designers will be there on Wednesday, December 4th, from 11am-5pm. Faculty, staff, and students are welcome to stop by to provide direct feedback or ask questions. While you're there, sign the beam and leave your mark on the future of the SPHHS!

Also upcoming in December, we invite you to "De-stress with SPHHS" on December 4th from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. in the Arnold House Lobby. Stop by to take a break from studying and join us for a cozy and creative afternoon! Enjoy a hot chocolate bar and relax with some fun holiday crafts—the perfect way to unwind before finals kick in.

Finally, I hope our faculty and staff will join me for our annual faculty and staff holiday breakfast on December 16th from 9-10:30 am in the 2nd floor red hallway in the Goessmann building.

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

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