Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence

The College of Public Health is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and belonging for all. We strive to promote diversity and equity – and to be a model of inclusive excellence. Racism, xenophobia, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia and all other forms of hate will not be tolerated. Ohio State’s College of Public Health does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.

We are committed to teaching that provides a safe, yet intellectually challenging, space for all identities and political viewpoints, research that improves the health of all populations and public health practice in diverse communities in the interest of improving our shared future.

To our students: Know that the college welcomes your presence in all our teaching, research and service spaces. You are valued here, whatever your political convictions, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, geographic origin, economic background or abilities. The college faculty and staff strive to create an environment that is safe for all, where diversity of opinion and experience are treated as true strengths of our community and our academic enterprise. and our communities.

We celebrate our core values: equity of health care, health outcomes and the pursuit of health; ethics in our scientific and practical endeavors; excellence in research, teaching, and service; and diversity in our community, workforce and culture.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Statement Against APIDA Violence and Discrimination

Community of Inclusion

  • David Angeles, Graduate Student
  • Jennifer Beard, Assistant Dean, Strategic Initiatives (Staff Co-chair)
  • Amy Ferketich, Professor, Epidemiology
  • Colleen Fitzgibbons, Program Manager, Center for Public Health Practice
  • Mindy Freed, Executive Assistant to the Dean
  • Ajeet Gill, Graduate Student
  • Darryl Hood, Associate Professor, Environmental Health Sciences (Faculty Co-chair)
  • Elizabeth Hope, Division Coordinator, Health Services Management and Policy
  • Eben Kenah, Associate Professor, Biostatistics
  • Heather Kerr, BSPH Senior Academic Advisor
  • Tasleem Padamsee, Assistant Professor, Health Services Management and Policy
  • JaNelle Ricks, Assistant Professor, Health Behavior and Health Promotion
  • Todd Thobe, Assistant Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions

  • Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH, Dean
  • Kellie Archer, Chair and Professor, Biostatistics
  • Jennifer Beard, Assistant Dean, Strategic Initiatives
  • Mike Bisesi, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Interim Chair and Professor, Environmental Health Sciences
  • Taylor Boyles, Director, Development
  • Misti Crane, Director, Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • Kynthia Droesch, Director, Office of Academic Programs and Student Services
  • Mindy Freed, Executive Assistant to the Dean
  • Maria Gallo, Interim Chair and Professor, Epidemiology
  • Andrea Garringer, Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration
  • Darryl Hood, Associate Professor, Environmental Health Sciences
  • Gail Kaye, Associate Professor, Health Behavior and Health Promotion
  • Liz Klein, Interim Chair and Associate Professor, Health Behavior and Health Promotion
  • Bill Miller, Senior Associate Dean of Research and Professor, Epidemiology
  • Sharon Schweikhart, Interim Chair, Health Services Management and Policy
  • Qinghua Sun, Assistant Dean, Global Public Health and Professor, Environmental Health Sciences
  • Lisa Van Dyke, Resource Planning Analyst

  • APHA calls out police violence as a public health crisis
    American Public Health Association
    June 4, 2020
    The American Public Health Association denounces the use of violent methods by law enforcement against peaceful protesters. The current protests are the result of the American people rightfully demanding an end to the racial profiling by some police officers and a system of structured racism resulting in disproportionate harm to the health of individuals and communities of color.
  • Racism is an ongoing public health crisis that needs our attention now
    American Public Health Association
    May 29, 2020
    Racism attacks people’s physical and mental health. And racism is an ongoing public health crisis that needs our attention now!
  • ASPPH Statement: Racism is a Public Health Crisis
    Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health
    The members and staff of ASPPH pledge to accelerate our commitment to address racial injustice by teaching skills to advocate for the essential public health values of compassion, empathy, justice, and equity, by advancing research on the structures that shape health inequities, and applying that knowledge into practice. We will work with community partners to model the behaviors and values that we must demand of both our national leaders and those who serve in law enforcement. We will continue to support the recruitment and retention of a diverse group of faculty, students, and staff to achieve inclusive excellence.

  • Call 911
  • Ohio State Department of Public Safety’s non-emergency line: 614-292-2121
  • StopAAPIHate.org
    This center tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout the United States.

  • In addition to our CCS counselor, Cody McMillan (mcmillan [dot] 173atosu [dot] edu), the university’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion has an in-house mental health counselor, Peter Oduwole (oduwole [dot] 3atosu [dot] edu). Both are available to take appointments. You may contact Counseling and Consultation Services at any time by calling (614) 292-5766 to schedule. If calling after hours, please press 2 to be connected to a counselor. Daily consultations are also available through the Let’s Talk program Monday through Friday.
  • Student Legal Services provides confidential legal advice and representation for a wide range of legal issues that Ohio State students typically encounter and may need at this time.
  • If you witness or experience discrimination or any other inappropriate behavior during your academic experience, please report it to a CPH diversity representative:
    • Darryl Hood (.188)
    • Jennifer Beard (.140)

Students, faculty and staff are also encouraged to report any instances of harassment, discrimination or sexual misconduct to the university's Office of Institutional Equity. You may contact them by phone at (614) 247-5838, email at equityatosu [dot] edu or visit them online.

  • You may access counseling services through the university’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which is available to support all employees with a host of resources. EAP is available 24 hours a day. Call 1-800-678-6265 to talk to a live person or click here and type in the user name "buckeyes" to view their expanded services.
  • If you witness or experience discrimination or any other inappropriate behavior at work, please contact Joyce Burkholder (.38)

Students, faculty and staff are also encouraged to report any instances of harassment, discrimination or sexual misconduct to the university's Office of Institutional Equity. You may contact them by phone at (614) 247-5838, email at equityatosu [dot] edu or visit them online.

  1. Supporting First-Generation High School Student Success during COVID-19
    This discussion was facilitated by pre-college units in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The discussion identifies challenges that have pre-college students have faced during COVID-19 and how units have worked to overcome challenges.
    Pre-recorded discussion can be found here.

News and Events

Black Lives Matter
College leaders respond to racial injustices
George Floyd mural
A time for action
Embedded thumbnail for Public health leaders speak candidly about racism, health
Public health leaders speak candidly about racism, health
seed grants graphic
Racial justice grants fund two new public health projects
Ramona Peel
Creating welcoming and inclusive environments for trans and non-binary people
Embedded thumbnail for Understanding mental health disparities among sexual minorities
Understanding mental health disparities among sexual minorities
Maria Matzik
Understanding Disability: Health Care Barriers and Disparities
RaShall Brackney and Ann Fisher
Charlottesville police chief talks racism, need to ‘regrow’ policing
Dr. J. Nwando Olayiwola
Empowering and Advancing Minority Women In Health Care and Public Health
Zoom screenshot
Alumni stars discuss public health’s bright future, the power of diversity
ohio map with community pictures
New research-based tools to help Ohioans at higher COVID-19 risk
Justice for Breonna Taylor sign
"We will not back away"
Amy Acton photo in Ohio statehouse
Public Health alums honored for leadership during pandemic, work in diversity and inclusion
lady justice
Understanding the inequitable burdens of COVID-19
Racism graphic
Want evidence of systemic racism? Look to public health
Ilan Meyer
Minority Stress and the Health of LGBT Populations with Dr. Ilan Meyer