Message from the Dean
With spring’s arrival comes a season of new beginnings, and the School of Public Health and Information Sciences is entering an exciting period of transition and growth. I want to share several important developments that will shape our future in the years ahead, including our search for a new dean, the groundbreaking of a new Health Sciences Center building that will become the school’s future home, and the start of the CEPH reaccreditation process.
The search for the next dean of SPHIS is currently underway, with the goal of welcoming new leadership by fall. This search represents an opportunity to build on the school’s strong foundation while advancing our mission of pursuing bold, collaborative approaches to education, research, practice and policy that strengthen public health locally, nationally and internationally. I am confident this process will draw outstanding candidates who share our dedication to innovation and advancing public health.
Another milestone for our school is the upcoming groundbreaking for the new Health Sciences Center building. This state-of-the-art facility will eventually become the future home of SPHIS when it opens in 2029. We’re excited to share more information in the coming months and look forward to the opportunities this new space will provide for collaboration, learning and discovery.
"I'm excited to share some of the exciting initiatives and events that are on the horizon for our school."
Additionally, SPHIS has begun the process of reaccreditation through the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and will soon be reaching out to departments with details. The school received reaccreditation in March 2021 for a period of seven years, the maximum length of time the CEPH will reaccredit schools of public health. This important process allows us to reflect on our progress, evaluate our programs and ensure we continue to meet the highest standards in public health education.
These milestones signal an exciting chapter for SPHIS, one defined by growth, reflection and forward momentum. I remain deeply thankful for the energy and support of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and community, and I am excited for the future of public health that we are building together.
Kathy B. Baumgartner, MA, MS, PhD
Interim Dean & Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health
UofL School of Public Health and Information Sciences