Dear School of Public Health students, faculty, staff, and friends:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kim Ramsey-White, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences and Director of Undergraduate Programs, as Special Advisor to the Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), effective immediately.

In June, the School of Public Health established a Task Force on Racial Equity and Inclusion to identify specific actions that the School can take to address and reduce systemic racism and police violence against Black people and other underrepresented groups at the university and in society. Among its recommendations was the establishment of a leadership position for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the School of Public Health. The Special Advisor to the Dean for DEI, Dr. Ramsey-White, will support the planning and implementation of Task Force recommendations in areas including, but not limited to, curriculum and training; recruitment, admissions, and retention; and community engagement and partnership. Dr. Ramsey-White will also work to identify model practices and provide counsel and guidance to the Dean and senior leaders in the School of Public Health.

In over twenty years working in higher education, Dr. Ramsey-White has been a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is deeply committed to leveraging the greatest asset of the School of Public Health—the diversity of thought, ability, and experience of our students, faculty, and staff—to facilitate the institutional and systemic change necessary for us to individually and collectively thrive.

Congratulations to Dr. Ramsey-White; I look forward to working together on these important initiatives. 

Warmly,
Rodney Lyn, Ph.D., MS
Interim Dean
School of Public Health
Georgia State University