The Department of Public Health at Winston-Salem State University is a newly established department that prepares students to address health disparities in diverse communities. Our curriculum is steeped in interdisciplinary learning in epidemiology, environmental health, health behavior, health policy, and biostatistics, along with applied learning experiences that emphasize real-world public health practice.
Graduates of our degree-based programs prepared for positions in settings such as local and state health departments, healthcare systems, nonprofit organizations, and federal agencies, as well as for graduate study in public health and related fields. Career opportunities include roles such as health educator, community health educator, program coordinator, and public health analysist.
Our programs are ideal for students interested in making meaningful impact on population health while developing strong skills in data analysis, communication, and community engagement. The goal of the Department of Public Health is to develop student competencies in the eight Public Health Professional domains, utilizing regional-specific challenges, interprofessional learning, and community engagement opportunities across all learning experiences:
- Data analytics and assessment skills
- Policy development and program planning skills
- Communication skills
- Health equity skills
- Community partnership and interprofessional collaboration skills
- Public health sciences skills
- Management and finance skills
- Leadership and systems thinking skills
Vision
The Department of Public Health will empower students with the knowledge, experience, and collaborative practice skills to change the health trajectory of entire communities.
Mission
The Department of Public Health focuses simultaneously on eliminating health disparities and improving public health, strategically investing in, and partnering with, the communities we serve through interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP).
Our degree programs seek to cultivate a well-prepared public health workforce equipped with the knowledge, skills, collaborative mindset, and sense of civic responsibility necessary to reduce health disparities and promote health equity across the Piedmont region and beyond. Graduates will be motivated to serve and advocate for underserved and rural communities through evidence-based practice, interprofessional teamwork, ethical decision-making, and community engagement to advance social justice and improve population well-being.
Our programs aim to cultivate a public health workforce in the Piedmont region that demonstrates advanced analytical skills, critical thinking, collaborative leadership, and ethical responsibility in reducing health disparities and promoting health equity. Graduates will employ data-driven decision making and rigorous analysis to assess, address, and advocate for the health needs of underserved and rural communities, working collaboratively with professionals across disciplines to lead positive change through evidence-based practice, community engagement, and a commitment to social justice.
Jessica D. Goodman, PhD, MCHES
Department Chair and Assistant Professor
- Ph.D. - University of Illinois
- MPH - East Carolina University
- B.S. - East Carolina University
Contact: goodmanjd@wssu.edu
Amanda M. Scott-Davis, PhD, MPH, CHES
Visiting Assistant Professor
- Ph.D. - University of Louisville
- MPH - Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans
- B.A. - Spelman College
Area(s) of Interest: Implementation Science, Maternal and Child Health in the American South, Disaster Preparedness and Policy in the Gulf South, Health Disparities
Contact: scottdavisam@wssu.edu
