This semester will be a time for intellectual growth as we continue to build on our shared commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, research and community. There will also be challenges. By working together and supporting each other, I’m confident that we will create new opportunities in the face of uncertainty and make this academic year even more successful than the last. 

The fall semester was full of accomplishments for our community. We continue to grow as a school and have been fortunate to bring on four new faculty who will be joining the SPH team this semester. Further, we have four new faculty who have committed to joining us in the 2025-26 academic year and open searches continue. Alongside this exceptionally strong incoming cohort, eight new faculty members have already joined us this year and are making invaluable contributions to our ambitious research and academic goals. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has played a role in shaping the outstanding team we continue to build at SPH.

On the administrative side, as we enter the spring semester, we will continue enhancing the grant process with the new Huron system in place, continue to collect data to be able to optimize our space usage, and, as always, provide services and programs to our students to ensure they thrive at SPH. Under the leadership of Executive Dean Sara Walsh, our administrative offices are embracing a culture of cooperation, resulting in extraordinary work on behalf of our faculty and students. As we all know, it takes a village to operate this fantastic school.

Students, you are not alone in this journey of learning public health by doing public health. Our faculty and staff are here to support you every step of the way. I encourage you to engage with the breadth of resources at your disposal at SPH and within the broader Brown community.

I look forward to seeing the incredible work and accomplishments that will come from our vibrant university community this spring. Here’s to a great semester!

Sincerely,

Ashish K. Jha, M.D., MPH
Dean, School of Public Health