Dear Colleagues,

Over the past several months, we have been assessing the needs of the School as it relates to our mission of education, research, and community. I am delighted to announce the appointment of two new positions to continue building better support systems for students and faculty at the School of Public Health.

First, Jesse Yedinak MPA, assistant professor of the practice of epidemiology, to the role of Assistant Dean for Education, effective May 2nd. In this new position, Jesse will provide planning and guidance for the Office of Education and key leadership, management, and oversight of the School’s educational operations. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Education and Student Affairs, the Assistant Dean of Education is a leader and champion in the areas of recruitment, admissions, and curricular innovation in the School of Public Health.

Jesse joined the Brown University School of Public Health in 2014 as a project coordinator, becoming a project director in 2017, and research director of the People, Place & Health Collective in 2021. She began as an assistant professor of the practice of epidemiology in January 2021 and has gone on to become the master of public health concentration lead in epidemiology. Jesse’s research focuses on applied epidemiology, using a community-engaged approach to research and policy through collaborative work with community-based and state agency partners. In addition to her impressive career with us here at Brown, Jesse also holds a Master of Public Administration from the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver.

Next, Jerry Logan, Ph.D., has joined the School of Public Health as the inaugural Assistant Dean of Faculty Affairs. The Assistant Dean serves as the chief administrator for faculty operations within SPH. Jerry will work closely with deans and senior administrators to provide advice and contribute to short- and long-term planning in support of the faculty affairs and operational goals for units reporting to SPH. He will report directly to the Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and serve as a critical resource to the School’s chairs, directors, managers, and central campus offices with regard to faculty affairs.

Jerry comes to Brown from Gordon College, where he worked in several positions over the last twelve years, including academic affairs, accreditation, Title IX, and operations. Jerry holds a doctoral degree from Boston College in Higher Education and a Master’s of Education from The College of William and Mary.

Please join me in congratulating Jesse and Jerry on their new positions and wishing them the very best as they move forward in these new roles. Announcements about faculty Associate Deans of Faculty Affairs and of Education and Student Affairs will be forthcoming.

Sincerely,

Megan L. Ranney, MD, MPH
Academic Dean