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About Graduate Public Health Program


The mission of the GPHP is to prepare the next generation of diverse leadership through research, innovation, advocacy, and community engagement. Read more

Williams Bowie Hall

Welcome to our Program

Welcome Message

Dr. Lee

Welcome to the Department of Graduate Public Health  in  the College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) at Tuskegee University.  Our department currently offers a Master of Public Health (MPH)  accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Tuskegee University’s Public Health Program is unique in its mission to prepare the next generation of diverse leadership through research, innovation, advocacy, and community engagement. The program is uniquely positioned.


Since the Graduate Public Health Program (GPHP) accepted its first cohort in August 2011, our world-class faculty has worked  diligently to meet the urgent need for more public health professionals nationally and internationally, given the numerous public health concerns that continuously arise due to communicable and non-communicable diseases, health conditions and co-morbidities, environmental challenges, and disaster threats.
Torhonda C. Lee, Ph.D. currently serves as the Head of the Department of Graduate Public Health in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University. She earned a Ph.D. in Health Education and Health Promotion from the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) and earned a B.A. in Psychology and M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling both from Auburn University. The core values of the DGPH - Ethical Leadership, Integrity, Excellence, Diversity, and “telling our stories”- also reflect Dr. Lee’s community engagement and research philosophy. Read more on Dr. Lee’s Bio (click here).


Crystal James, JD, MPH, served as the first head of the department.  Attorney James’ efforts and leadership as the department head for several years helped advanced the program to a department status first and then onward to achieve its accreditation status after the completion a rigorous self-study and site visit.


The Department is involved in several funded projects that are led by DGPH faculty. Recent projects include a Cervical Cancer Awareness Program, directed by Dr. Ehsan Abdalla which provides health education interventions in Black Belt counties of Alabama as well as collect data around awareness and treatment availability.  This project is critical in the State of Alabama where cervical cancer mortality rates for Black Women lead the nation. The DGPH therefore offers opportunities to students who desire to pursue a traditional public health career and/or enhance their translational research capacity as they matriculate into the  other terminal or professional degree programs.


Each graduate receives public health training through research application, thesis preparation, and a wide exposure to applied practical experiences (APEx). Public health ethics guides the development of competencies and public health skills for synthesis, integration, public health application guided by the three (3) core functions and the ten (10) essential services of public Health.


We therefore welcome all eligible applicants to apply to our program following our admissions requirements. To learn more, please visit the link at: Public Health Course Requirement

Accreditation

Council on Education for Public Health 

CEPH accreditation

 

 

 

 

 

The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is an independent agency responsible for accrediting schools and programs in public health. CEPH accreditation sets a standard by which all accredited schools and programs of public health work to enhance health in human populations, through organized community effort. Accreditation by CEPH means that we have rigorously evaluated the quality and content of our instruction, research, and services programs and have successfully met CEPH’s published criteria—and that’s important to us.

DGPH completed a rigorous self-study process that involved a systematic and rigorous evaluation of the quality and content of our instruction, research, and service programs. This process was guided by the CEPH criteria and involved multiple stakeholders. A self-study committee comprised of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners was formed to ensure broad representation in the self-assessment process. Supporting this committee was a three-member internal steering committee (Dean Ruby Perry, Dr. Rueben Warren, Atty. Crystal James), a four-member subcommittee of the external advisory committee {Dr. Bailus Walker (deceased), Dr. Maleeka Glover, Dr. Kimberly Taylor, Dr. Lucenia Dunn, and Dr. Pamela Payne-Foster} that was responsible for synthesizing feedback into one final self-study report that we submitted to CEPH in November 2021. This process culminated in the CEPH accreditation site visit in December 2021. Upon review of our self-study, CEPH notified President Morris that the Tuskegee University Master of Public Health Program was reviewed by the CEPH Board of Councilors which acted at its June 1-3, 2022 meeting to approve full accreditation for a five-year accreditation period.

 

Available for review is the recent accreditation self-study documents and the CEPH site visit report below. 

Contact Us


Dr. Torhonda Lee- Head and Director

 

Torhonda C. Lee, Ph.D., MCHES® Associate Professor | Public Health Program| Director and Head | Department of Graduate Public Health | College of Veterinary MedicineTuskegee University| Phone: 334.727.8966

E-mail: tlee2@tuskegee.edu
 
 

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MPH Student Spotlights

Alexis Smith graduated in 2024 with her research on Environmental Risk Factors Associated with Cryptosporidium Exposure in Alabama and is currently pursuing a PhD in Interdisciplinary Pathobiology at Tuskegee University.
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Strategic Plans 2019 - 2025

Tuskegee University Graduate Program

Grading Policy in Graduate Student Handbook

Faculty and Staff

DGPH Faculty and Staff
 

Dr. Lee

Torhonda C. Lee, Ph.D., MCHES®
Associate Professor and Director

Dr. Webb

Lloyd Webb BSc, DVM, MPH

 

Dr. Abdalla

 Ehsan Abdalla DVM, MSc, PhD

Dr. McKenzie

Dr. David McKenzie
Interim Head, Dept. of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
(334) 24-4122; (334) 727-8436
 

Dr. Nelson

Nelson O. Oranye, Ph.D., PSC.PHDA, MPH, MBA, MSc.
Associate Professor
Room 106 Williams-Bowie Hall

Dr. Dibaba

Asseged B. Dibaba DVM, MSc

 

Mrs. Akhter

Samina Akhter, MPH,  MSc, CS
Certified Career Service Provider (CCSP)

 

 

Student Alumni Profile

Student and Alumni Profiles

Twanda Collins

Twanda Collins: (MPH Graduation Year '26 )

Major Professor:   Research Interest:

Current work status:  Graduate Student

 


Quavon Beckford: (MPH Graduation Year '26 )

Major Professor:   Research Interest:

Current work status:  Graduate Student

 


Kennede Perry

Kennede Perry: (MPH Graduation Year '26 )

Major Professor:   Research Interest:

Current work status:  Graduate Student

 


Cantone Hilani: (MPH Graduation Year '26 )

Major Professor:   Research Interest:

Current work status:  Graduate Student

 


Chiquita Lee: (MPH Graduation Year )

Major Professor:   Research Interest:

Current work status:  Graduate Student

 


Johnpaul Kagulire: (MPH Graduation Year '25)

Major Professor:   Research Interest:

Current work status: MPH/PhD, Integrated Biosciences Graduate Student

 


Carlyn Track

Carlyn Track: (MPH Graduation Year '25)

Major Professor:   Research Interest:

Current work status: MPH Graduate Student

 


Lindsay Corbin: (MPH Graduation Year '25)

Major Professor:   Research Interest: Epidemiology and Data Systems

Current work status: MPH Graduate Student

 

 


Savannah C Williams

Savannah C. Williams: (MPH Graduation Year '25)

Major Professor:   Research Interest:

Current work status: MPH Graduate Student

 


Alexis Smith

Alexis Smith: (MPH Graduation Year '25)

Major Professor:   Research Interest: One Health/ Zoonotic Disease

Current work status: MPH Graduate Student

 

 


Treasure Valle

Treasure Valle: (MPH Graduation Year '25)

Major Professor:   Research Interest:  MCT at EAMC Hospital

Current work status: MPH Graduate Student

 


Lauren Gibson

Lauren Gibson: (MPH Graduation Year '24)

Major Professor: Dr. Lloyd Webb   Research Interest: Zoonotic diseases focusing on Rabies

Current work status: Graduate student and veterinary assistant at a local animal hospital.


Miller

Shandrell Miller: (MPH Graduation Year '24)

Major Professor: Dr. Ehsan Abdalla  Research Interest: Knowledge and Awareness of Cervical Cancer, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and HPV Vaccines among Women Living in Alabama’s Macon, Bullock, Lowndes, and Barbour Counties to Reduce Health Disparities

Current work status: Graduate Student 


Shelby Campbell

Sanchez Rolle: (MPH Graduation Year '24)

Major Professor:   Research Interest:

Current work status: Ph.D. Student Integrative Biosciences at Tuskegee University


Avia Sutton

Avia Sutton: (MPH Graduation Year '22)

Major Professor: Dr. Ehsan Abdalla  Research Interest: The Effects of Covid-19 Vaccination on Menstruation: Are women with underlying reproductive health conditions, particularly black women at a higher risk for vaccine-related menstruation complications?

Current work status: I am the Advocacy Intern at Sepsis Alliance.


AshuntiAshunti Johnson: (MPH Graduation Year '22)

Major Professor: Dr. Lloyd Webb  Research interest: ADDRESSING FOOD SAFETY: A ONE-HEALTH PILOT FOOD SUSTAINABILITY PROPOSAL FOR MACON COUNTY, ALABAMA

Current work status:  Research Intern for the USDA-FSIS


Ty'Quieria Lodge: (MPH Graduation Year Pending)

Major Professor: Dr. Melvena Wilson Research interest: How are patients with Alzheimer's and Dementia affected by Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Current work status: Graduate Student and I'm also an intern at the RSA Tower in the HIV Prevention and Care Department.


 AmiraAmira Brooks: (MPH Graduation Year Pending)

Major Professor: Dr. Ehsan Abdalla Research interest: Why are Companion Animals good for people who suffer from Mental Health Problems?

Current work status: Graduate Student

  


Atiya Shahid: (MPH Graduation Year ' 23)

Major Professor: Dr. Ehsan Abdalla Research interest: The Relation of Age on HIV-Positive women’s Cluster of Differentiation 4, Antiretroviral Therapy, Papanicolaou test, Human Papillomavirus test and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid.

Current work status:  Ph.D. student in the Interdisciplinary Pathobiology program at Tuskegee University


JakeiiaJakeiia Bedgood: (MPH Graduation Year ' 23)

Major Professor: Dr. Lloyd Webb Research interest: Repurposing of Acetaminophen Against Toxoplasma gondii Infection

Current work status: Communicable Disease Specialist II - Department of Public Health


RavenRaven McClellan: (MPH Graduation Year Pending)

Major Professor: Dr. Melvena Wilson  Research interest: The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Perceptions of African Americans

Current work status: Graduate Student


RavenRonald Peaster: (MPH Graduation Year ' 21)

Major Professor: Atty. Crystal James   Research interest: Disparities and Demographics Between Blacks and Whites with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in the U.S

Current work status: Ph.D. in Biological Science at Tuskegee University and expecting to graduate in the summer of 2023.


DavisDavis Ali -Ashanti: (MPH Graduation Year ' 20)

Thesis Topic: Consumption of Meals Served at Tuskegee Institute Middle School.

Current work status: Consultant at National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care, Lithonia, Georgia, United States


Veale DenzelVeale Denzel: (MPH Graduation Year ' 20)

 Thesis Topic: Fitness Technology and its Behavioral Effects on Physical Activity in African American Students at a Historically Black University.

Current work status: During this pandemic, he has created a way to promote access to fresh fruits and vegetables through a mobile phone app and curbside pickup system. The "Access: Farm to Table" App is a resource and tool that promotes availability and accessibility to fresh fruits, vegetables, and products from local farmers and food distributors to communities with limited food access and public health promotion. Read More


kellonKellon Banks: (MPH Graduation Year ' 20)

Thesis Topic: Knowledge and Awareness About Cervical Cancer and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Among Women Living in Macon County, Alabama.

Current work status: Health Education Coordinator at Tuskegee University


Oyoyo Oyoyo Egiebor-Aiwan, MD: (MPH Graduation Year ' 19)

Thesis Topic: A Systemic Review: Evaluating the Environmental and Public Health Impacts of Failed Septic Systems in Alabama Blackbelt Counties.

Current work status: Psychiatry Resident Doctor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine


SaminaSamina Akhter, MSc, CP Associate Degree: (MPH Graduation Year '19)

Research interest: Framing an Environmental Risk Analysis Pathway For Cancer Health Disparities in Black Belt Counties of Alabama.

Current work status: Assistant Director of Analytics and Career Placement at the Department of Graduate Public Health, Tuskegee University


MyloMylo Howard: (MPH Graduation Year '19)

Research interest: Public Health Ethics M.P.H Fellow

Current work status: UCLA Health FPG-FCU Senior Analyst, Los Angeles Metropolitan Area


Dr. Candy Candy De La Cruz, MD: (MPH Graduation Year '18)

Research interest: The Effect of State Laws on Breastfeeding Practices and Rates.

Current work status:


 Dr. NathaliaNathalia Beras Rarmirez, MD: (MPH Graduation Year '18)

Research interest: Policy Analysis and Community Empowerment How can the Ashurst Bar/Smith community participate in modifying or renewing the Stone’s Throw Landfill permit?

 Current work status: Physician in the Dominic Republic and Volunteer with NGOs


AlvaAlva Walston: (MPH Graduation Year '17)

Research interest:

Current work status:

 

 


RenaRena Blakely: (MPH Graduation Year '17)

Research interest:

Current work status:

 


Alicia Roberts Alicia Roberts: (MPH Graduation Year '17)

Research interest: Community Outreach/Community Epidemiology

Current work status: Public Health Advisor (Intern), New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)


Leondira Hinds Leondria Hinds: (MPH Graduation Year '17)

Research interest:

Current work status: In the medical program at Auburn University

 


 DestineeDestinee Grant, MSc: (MPH Graduation Year '17)

Research interest: Surveillance and crisis response: Action Plan to Emphasize the Importance of Death Registration and Fetal Death Reporting to Public Health in Delray Beach, Florida: Palm Beach County through Partnership & Planning

Current work status: Biological Scientist IV & Hepatitis Coordinator at Florida Department of Health, STD/Viral Hepatitis Program in Riviera Beach, FL

 


Davie Armstrong Rickenbacker Davie Armstrong Rickenbacker: (MPH Graduation Year '16)

Research interest: Epidemiology

Current work status: Program Analyst for NCEZID, CDC  (Contractor)

 


jessicaJessica M Pettway: (MPH Graduation Year '16)

Research interest: Implemented nutrition and physical activity education curriculum as part of ongoing research on integrative approaches for prevention and reduction of overweight and childhood obesity in the Alabama Black Belt by leading and teaching obesity prevention and nutrition lesson plans to approximately 70 adolescents (8 - 15 years) (50% of the time). 

 Current work status: Public Health Program Coordinator with the National Indian Health Board


Blair MajorBlair Major: (MPH Graduation Year '16)

Research interest: Epidemiology

Current work status: Site Manager Crews & Co Logistics Amazon Delivery Service Partner 


Folashade Adalumo: (MPH Graduation Year '16)

Research interest: Health disparity, breastfeeding education, and maternal health

Current work status: Ph.D. Student at the  Department of Integrative Public Policy and Development 


Lecarde WebbLecarde Webb: (MPH Graduation Year '15)

Thesis Topic: A Healthcare Clinical Topology Model Developed Through Effective Public Health Engagement

Current work status: Planning and Evaluation Manager at Tuskegee University

  • 3rd Year Ph.D. candidate in the Integrative Biosciences Program (Research area for Ph.D. in Cancer Health Disparities Research with a focus on Community Engagement)
  • Department of Biology and Center for Cancer Research Public Health Consultant at Healthy Kinder In.

Keon blackedgeKeon Blackledge: (MPH Graduation Year '15)

Research interest:

Current work status: Lean Sensei, Performance Excellence at Mercy Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut, United States.


Racgael GoughRachael Browne: (MPH Graduation Year '15)

Research interest: Women's Health

Current work status: State Plant Health Director- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection Quarantine, Field Operations. (USDA APHIS PPQ FO)


Amber

Amber (Hailey) Baker: (MPH Graduation Year '15)

Research interest: Epidemiology (Women's Health)

Current work status: Infant & toddler sleep specialist, at Little Winks Sleep

 


Heather

Heather Murphy: (MPH Graduation Year '15)

Research interest: Epidemiology

Current work status: Research Scientist I: Healthcare System Capacity Analyst, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

  • I am a doctoral student and public health professional in the Doctor of Education Program in Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

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Marian Hutchinson: (MPH Graduation Year '15)

Research interest: Epidemiology

Current work status: Program innovator and Community Facilitator-Community Health Educator-Columbia, South Carolina, United States


Mulugeta Gebredhim : (MPH Graduation Year '15)

Research interest:

Current work status:


Artina Allen: (MPH Graduation Year '15)

Research interest:

Current work status


Brittney Odom Brittney Odom: (MSPH Graduation Year '14)

Research interest: Suggested Research in Examining the Correlation Among African American Obese Adolescent (ages 12-19) Public Housing Residents In The Macon County Area Based Upon Contributing.

Current work status: Public Health Advisor, CDC


Brittni AllenBrittni Steele: (MSPH Graduation Year '14)

Research interest: Implications of ACE Scores and Early Childhood Education 

Current work status: Founder/CEO of Beetle B, Inc. a Family Health NGO 


De'Naya Goudeau-MitchellDe'Naya Goudeau-Mitchell: (MSPH Graduation Year '14)

Research interest: Workplace Health and Wellness Incentive Programs through CDC Fellowship

Current work status: (I am a Master of Science in Medical Health Sciences graduate student at Touro University California)


Beatrice King

Beatrice Denise King: (MPH Graduation Year '14)

Research interest: Public Health Education, Developed Health Education Curriculum for K-12

Current work status: Georgia Department of Public Health-Health Educator 3, Opioid Analyst
Location: Fulton County Board of Health Atlanta, GA


Grant

DeJuana Grant: (MPH Graduation Year '14)

Research interest: A Review of Breast Cancer in African American and Caucasian Women in the United States of America

Current work status: Epidemiologist with the Alabama Department of Public Health


De'Naya Goudeau: (MPH Graduation Year '14)

Research interest:

Current work status: Program Director, Dana's Family House


Elizebath Foster

Elizabeth Foster: (MPH Graduation Year '14)

Research interest: 

Current work status: Veterinary Technician, California Vet Hospital


Maegan Ford

Maegan Ford: (MPH Graduation Year '14)

Research interest: Director within Area 8 Counties on basic public health principles, practices, and concepts.
Conducted interviews & utilized risk assessment in outbreak investigation with the Tuberculosis Team.

Current work status: Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Alabama Department of Mental Health


Deratu Yishak: (MSPH Graduation Year '14)

Research interest:

Current work status: Majoring in Nursing (Accelerated), Augustana University, From Sioux Falls, SD


Maxwell

Lagorrgera Maxwell: (MSPH Graduation Year '14)

Research interest:

Current work status: Law Enforcement Officer, Tuskegee University Police Department 


Joshlynn Edwards: (MSPH Graduation Year '14)

Research interest: Women's Health

Current work status: Health Equity Program Coordinator Fulton County Board of Health 

 


Charli Williams: (MSPH Graduation Year '13)

Research interest: Public Health Surveillance

Current work status: Regional Liaison Data Manager, Commonwealth of Virginia

 


Christina Tresvant

Christina Tresvant: (MSPH Graduation Year '13)

Thesis Topic: Attitudes of African Americans towards Brands of Condoms. The overall goal of the research project was to reduce Sexually Transmitted Infections by increasing condom use in African American males.

Current work status: Clinical Data Specialist at Biosense Webster Inc. (Johnson & Johnson), Irwin Dale, California, United States


Seanna

Seanna Jimmeh: (MSPH Graduation Year '13)

Thesis Topic:

Current work status: Educator teacher of Chemistry and Physics at Teach For America, Legal Shield Manager, Lady of DST, TFA Alumna, Atlanta Metropolitan Area


Montalee Chavious: (MSPH Graduation Year '13), MPS (Master of Pharmaceutical Science,'18 University of Cincinnati)

Thesis Topic: Public Health Fellowship, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Conducted independent research and compiled data on residents of Tuskegee, Alabama, Assisted the Community Healing Network with the initial implementation of the Emotional Emancipation Circle, Responsible for researching, planning, implementing, and evaluating educational training for community revitalization.

 Current work status: R&D Cosmetic Chemist at DyStar, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States


Nakia McCallum: (MSPH Graduation Year '13)

Thesis Topic: Epidemiology

Current work status: Industrial Hygienist, US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OSHA, Jacksonville, Florida, United States


Blank imageConstanza Aranda-Garcia, PT, DPT (EC) : (MSPH Graduation Year '13)

Thesis Topic: Association of Selected Health Deficits and Methylmercury Contamination in Residents of Alabama

Current work status: Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates. Dr. Constanza “Connie” Aranda Garcia, PT, DPT graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2018 and began her career in physical therapy at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford, FL as an acute care/inpatient rehabilitation therapist. She serves as Chair of the FPTA Early Professional Special Interest Group (EPSIG) and Membership Tier Leader. Constanza is a member of the APTA Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy.


Blannk imageBertukan Bekele( MSPH Graduation Year '13)

Thesis Topic: Bacteria Isolated from Restaurants, Fast Food Restaurants and the Environments and Further Characterization of Isolated Staphylococcus Species in Tuskegee, Alabama.

Current work status:

 

Laura Whitaker( MSPH Graduation Year '13)

Research interest:

Current work status:

 

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Tuskegee University Graduate Public Health Program Receives Full Accreditation