Dean's Office

Dr. Nancy Messonnier

Nancy Messonnier, MD
Dean and Bryson Distinguished Professor in Public Health
170 Rosenau Hall
135 Dauer Drive
CB #7400
(919) 966-3215
uncsphdean@unc.edu

• Leads and guides School operations and activities, including research, academic programs, accreditation, service and outreach, fundraising, and planning and evaluation
• Responsible for annual budget submission and other critical activities
• Oversees hiring of new chairs, mentoring and chairs’ reviews
• Encourages and facilitates institutional collaborations
• Champions and represents the School around the University, state and world

Dr. Robert Smith, III

Robert Smith III, PhD
Vice Dean
170 Rosenau Hall
135 Dauer Drive
CB #7400

• Oversees Strategic Planning
• Provides leadership to key efforts affecting many parts of the School
• Oversees selected SPH units (Finance; Human Resources; Instructional and Information Systems; Strategic Analysis and Business Intelligence)
• Represents the dean and the Gillings School on various internal and external committees

Elizabeth French

Elizabeth French, MA
Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives
138 Rosenau Hall
135 Dauer Drive
CB #7400
(919)-963-2372
eafrench@unc.edu

• Works across School to help plan, guide, implement and communicate major initiatives, collaborations and partnerships that transcend academic and administrative units
• Manages programs and coordinates new initiatives, the Gillings School’s strategic plan
• Facilitates committee management and nominations of SPH faculty and staff for key University and School-wide awards
• Develops agendas for key leadership groups including Dean’s Council
• Member, Dean’s Council, Operations Committee, Practice Advisory Committee

Pamela Lee

Pamela Lee, MA
Strategic Initiatives Coordinator
269B Rosenau Hall
135 Dauer Drive
CB #7400
(919) 966-4477
pjlee@email.unc.edu

• Coordinates and manages large scale, data-driven higher education projects, including planning and background research for key activities

Kristine Thorne

Kristine Thorne
Executive Assistant
170 Rosenau Hall
135 Dauer Drive
CB #7400
919-966-0279
kthorne@unc.edu

• Provides calendar support for the Associate Dean of IE and Associate Dean of Strategy
• Administrative support within the Dean’s Office, including document processing, copy editing, data entry and reception
• Coordinates and supports activities related to Schoolwide events and various committee
• Member, SPH CAU Action Team

Sarahi Villa Arreguin
Administrative Assistant
170 Rosenau Hall
135 Dauer Drive
CB #7400
sarahi1@email.unc.edu

• Provides calendar support for vice dean
• Administrative support within the Dean’s Office, including document processing, copy editing, data entry and reception
• Coordinates and supports activities related to Schoolwide events and various committee
• Member, SPH CAU Action Team

Lisa Warren

Lisa Warren
Public Communications Specialist
170 Rosenau Hall
135 Dauer Drive
CB #7400
(919) 966-9761
lcwarren@email.unc.edu

• Provides editorial support on School documents, webpages, brochures and other materials
• Administrative support within the Dean’s Office, including document processing and copy editing
• Member, SPH CAU Action Team

Rhesia Lewis

Rhesia Lewis
Assistant Director of Operations
170 Rosenau Hall
135 Dauer Drive
CB #7400
919-843-0908
rhelewis@unc.edu 

• Serves as main point of contact for the Dean for internal stakeholders, university officials, and other internal and external partners.
• Provides leadership and direction for the Dean’s Front Office team and serves as a project manager to the team.
• Duties include maintenance/oversight of master calendar, project management databases and other tools to guide/advise on management of high-level recurring and non-recurring meetings, onboarding of school leaders, employee and unit reviews and other schoolwide events.

Lateesha Watkins

Lateesha Watkins
Gillings Event Strategist
(919) 966-8253
lateesha@unc.edu

• Serves as lead planner for designated school-wide marquee and high-visibility events in alignment with the dean’s event strategy.
• Consults with event stakeholders to perform needs assessment, recommending options for space, format, technologies, and logistics.
• Oversees creation of event strategy and calendar for various Central Administrative Units.
• Maintains records of events within the Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Julia Hayes

Julia Hayes
Executive Assistant
(919) 843-6121
julia_hayes@unc.edu

• Provide calendar and executive support for select Associate Deans
• Provide meeting support for committees and events led by Associate Dean Elizabeth French
• Provide logistical support for School wide Dean’s Office sponsored meetings and events
• Provide back-up support for executive assistants and administrative specialist as needed

Emily Cossett

Emily Cossett
Executive Assistant
(919) 445-0878
ecossett@unc.edu

• Provides calendar and executive support for Senior Associate Dean, Academic and Student Affairs
• Administrative support within the Dean’s Office, including document processing, copy editing, data entry and reception
• Provide logistical support for School wide Dean’s office meetings
• Coordinates and supports activities related to Schoolwide events and various committee
• Member, SPH CAU Action Team