Student Handbook - About the Gillings School
Mission Statement
At the Gillings School, we believe that Global is Local and Local is Global.
Our mission is to improve public health, promote individual well-being and eliminate health inequities across North Carolina and around the world.
Dedicated to our mission, the School is constantly moving forward to anticipate future health threats and accelerate public health solutions. Our commitment to excellence is part of everything we do – teaching, research, scholarship, practice, and bridging the gap between academic research and practical public health solutions.
Diversity Statement
We, the School’s leadership, are committed to ensuring that the School is a diverse, inclusive, civil and welcoming community. Diversity and inclusion are central to our mission. Diversity and inclusion are assets that contribute to our strength, excellence, and individual and institutional success. We welcome, value and learn from individual differences and perspectives. These include but are not limited to cultural and racial/ethnic background, country of origin, gender, age, socioeconomic status, physical and learning abilities, physical appearance, religion, political perspective, sexual identity and veteran status. Diversity, inclusiveness and civility are core values we hold, as well as characteristics of the School that we intend to strengthen.
Three health policy and management student catch up during the Gillings School’s annual Student Organizations Activity Fair.
We are committed to expanding diversity and inclusiveness across the School — among faculty, staff, students, on advisory groups, and in our curricula, leadership, policies and practices. We measure diversity and inclusion not only in numbers, but also by the extent to which students, alumni, faculty and staff members perceive the School’s environment as welcoming, valuing all individuals and supporting their development.
For more about diversity and inclusion at the School, visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.
School Leadership and Organizational Structure
Schoolwide administrative support services and interdepartmental functions are provided by centralized units (central administrative units) led by associate and assistant deans and directors. These leaders, as well as the chairs of the seven academic departments and the director of the Public Health Leadership Program, are identified on the School’s organizational chart. Together, these School leaders and student leaders, who are full members and partners, comprise the Dean’s Council. Links to web pages for all units follow the organizational chart. Each department also has its own organization and leadership.
Central Administration Information
Academic Unit Information
- Academic Unit Student Services
- Biostatistics
- Environmental Sciences and Engineering
- Epidemiology
- Health Behavior
- Health Policy and Management
- Maternal and Child Health
- Nutrition
- Public Health Leadership Program
Centers and Institutes
- North Carolina Institute for Public Health
- Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility
- Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center
- Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center
- UNC Nutrition Obesity Research Center
- The Water Institute at UNC
- Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute
- Center for Pharmacoepidemiology
Office of Student Affairs
The Office of Student Affairs staff members are always ready to help.
The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) provides an array of services and resources to prospective, admitted and current students. We aim to enhance student development by providing a supportive, inclusive and welcoming environment in which students can achieve academic, social and professional success. We coordinate major Schoolwide programs, such as orientations, a student activities fair, a career and internship fair, and professional development workshops. OSA works to recruit excellent students; coordinates diversity outreach programs to expose high school, undergraduate students and professionals to the field of public health; and offers career services for current students and recent alumni.
Student Organizations and Groups
At the annual Gillings Games, students enjoy an Olympic-style field day.
Getting involved is easy at the Gillings School of Global Public Health . We have more than 20 active student organizations. These organizations focus on global issues, diversity initiatives, community advocacy and healthy lifestyles. Our student organizations sponsor educational, philanthropic and just-plain-fun events including GillingsX, a series of TEDx-like talks by students about global health issues; the Gillings Games, a fall mini-Olympics that allows students to get acquainted while exercising together; Hunger Lunches, once-monthly meals of rice, beans and bread, the sale of which benefits the UNC chapter of Nourish International; and journal clubs, lectures and tailgating socials, among other events.
Academic Unit (Departmental) Student Services
The Gillings School of Global Public Health has student services staff throughout the School dedicated to helping our students navigate their academic experience. Staff members can address questions related to admissions, course registration, advising, academic and degree related requirements, University policies and funding/financial aid concerns.
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