Inclusive Excellence Outreach and Programming
Students mingle at the Partnership Program Networking Event.
The Gillings School of Global Public Health is committed to the diversity of our students, faculty and staff and the reduction of health disparities in the world around us.
In the spirit of this commitment, faculty, staff and students throughout the School seek to foster an inclusive environment that allows students to thrive as public health practitioners and researchers in the communities they serve.
For more information about how we cultivate an inclusive environment to better prepare our students for the diverse world that awaits them, visit our Inclusive Excellence pages.
Schedule a Meeting
If you need support on navigating the Gillings School, UNC-CH, or higher education, schedule an appointment with Gemma Herrera, who serves as the Coordinator of Diversity Programs & Recruitment for our Inclusive Excellence unit. Gemma supports students with their transition to the School, connects them to university and community resources, and guides them through having difficult conversations with peers, faculty, and staff.
To schedule an appointment, contact Gemma at gherrer@unc.edu.
Outreach & Engagement Opportunities
On behalf of the Gillings School, our staff engages in activities and services to attract students with diverse and nuanced experiences.
Community Engagement:
We facilitate presentations, events and other activities to encourage the public health interests of community members at all levels of education and experience. This includes but is not limited to the following populations:
- Elementary, middle and high school students;
- Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students;
- Recent graduates;
- Working professionals; and
- K-12 and higher education counselors, advisers and faculty.
Programming:
Throughout the year, staff, faculty and students participate in a variety of activities, such as:
- School and class presentations about public health fields, academics, careers and admission processes
- Panels focused on health careers and programs
- Career and college fairs
- Open houses and informational sessions
- Individual consultations/meetings with prospective students
Interested in organizing a visit to the Gillings School? Would you like to have a School representative attend your event or program? Please contact us at sph_inclusive_excellence@unc.edu.
Interested in finding information on in-state, regional schools, and national conferences our School attends, contact Gemma Herrera, Coordinator of Diversity Programs and Recruitment at ggherrer@unc.edu.
Programs
The Lewis Scholars’ IMHOTEP Project
The Lewis Scholars’ Imhotep Project is an 11-week summer internship program designed to increase the knowledge and skills of underrepresented minority students in biostatistics, epidemiology, and occupational safety and health.
The program begins with two weeks of intense educational training in public health courses such as Public Health & Health Disparities, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Scientific Writing. The purpose of this training is to equip interns with the academic information necessary to complete the program. During the following nine weeks, interns are paired in a one-on-one mentored relationship with experts at CDC, academic institutions, local and state agencies, or community based organizations to complete a public health research project. In addition, interns participate in a variety of seminars, workshops, educational initiatives and are required to complete 16 hours of community service.
Interns will culminate their experience by giving an oral poster presentation to their peers, mentors and public health professionals and develop a research manuscript suitable for publication in a scientific journal. Interns will receive a stipend, lodging on the campus of Morehouse College, course credit and travel expenses to and from their city of origin.
If you have questions about this program, please contact Gemma Herrera at ggherrer@unc.edu.
Minority Health Conference
Launched by the School’s Minority Student Caucus (MSC) in 1997 and supported by the Office of Student Affairs, the annual Minority Health Conference is the oldest and largest student-run conference in the country. Its planning committee is composed of representatives from:
- Minority Student Caucus
- SPH Dean’s Office
- NC Institute of Public Health
- Student volunteers
The conference is co-sponsored by a variety of internal and external partners.
Partnerships and Collaborations
The Gillings School welcomes new opportunities to work with organizations interested in supporting students as they pursue careers in health professions, particularly public health. Please contact us at sph_inclusive_excellence@unc.edu if you are interested in collaborating. Our current partners include:
- Health Careers Opportunities Program (HCOP)
- Medical Education Development Program (MED)
- North Carolina- Health Careers Access Program (NC-HCAP)
- North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)
- North Carolina Mathematics and Society Education Network (NC-MSEN)
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- North Carolina Central University
- UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School
- UNC-Chapel Hill Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
- UNC-Chapel Hill University Office for Diversity and Inclusion
Gillings School of Global Public Health Presentation Request
Form to be completed by groups requesting presentations/tours/panels
