MPH Program Director
Job Description
The Master of Public Health degree is part of the Virginia Tech Public Health Program, housed in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and created in partnership with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. It was the first CEPH-accredited MPH program in a veterinary college. The MPH offers two concentrations: infectious disease and public health education, with emphases on One Health and rural/Appalachian health. The program received initial Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation in 2013 and was re-accredited in 2018 for a seven-year term.
Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (that I may serve), is a program core value. Students and faculty engage in research, practice, and volunteer work in our surrounding communities in Southwest and Southside Virginia, the Commonwealth, Central Appalachia, the Nation and the World. The MPH program places emphasis on teamwork and inter-professionalism and has embedded corresponding experiences throughout the curriculum, including a team-based culminating experience. The MPH program preserves a small student to faculty ratio, allowing all students develop networks with public health faculty members to gain career and academic mentoring.
The program accepts approximately 40 full- and part-time MPH, DVM/MPH, and simultaneous degree (e.g., PhD/MPH, MS/MPH) students each year on the Blacksburg campus. The majority of MPH students are full-time and complete the program in two years. There are 20 total primary and secondary program faculty. Additional academic offerings in the Public Health Program include the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) degree, undergraduate Public Health minor, Accelerated Undergraduate to MPH degree for Virginia Tech students, MD/MPH, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health
This is a full time, 12-month, non-tenure leadership position in the Public Health Program at Virginia Tech. It is dedicated to coordinating the Master of Public Health degree program. The concentration of effort is 40% MPH administration and 60% faculty responsibilities (30% teaching, 20% service, and 10% research/scholarly effort).
The Assistant/Associate Professor of Public Health Practice is part of the faculty leadership team and is responsible for implementing the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program at Virginia Tech.
Administrative responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Administer the MPH program in partnership with Virginia Tech faculty and staff as well as other Virginia public health programs; stakeholders; health departments; and local, regional, national, and international associations;
• Guide strategic planning for the MPH program that is aligned with the missions of the department, college, and university;
• Lead the MPH accreditation process by working closely with the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and stakeholders at Virginia Tech;
• Nurture community among and between students and faculty in the program and college as well as across the Virginia Tech community and the Commonwealth of Virginia;
• Enhance external partnerships and funding opportunities for public health outreach projects related to the mission of the MPH program;
• Collaborate with college and university development and advancement on engagement of MPH alumni and philanthropes;
• Work closely with the professional Public Health Graduate Certificate and the undergraduate public health program.
Faculty responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Participate in the instruction of selected MPH core and concentration courses and/or
electives based on expertise of the applicant;
• Advise MPH students;
• Model Ut Prosim to foster student and department engagement in community service;
• Provide professional service to the field (i.e., ASPPH, APHA, CEPH);
• Contribute to department, college, and university shared governance through committee membership;
• Develop and maintain a line of scholarly research.
Required Qualifications
• MPH degree, or equivalent, from an accredited public health school or program;
• Applicable public health practice experience, with a minimum of 5 years working in community health, health education, and/or health policy;
• Knowledge and experience in the process of accreditation of public health programs;
• Demonstrated leadership in the public health field at the local, state, or national levels;
• Demonstrated ability to develop work plans and timelines, communicate effectively, and meet
deadlines and produce deliverables in a timely manner.
Preferred Qualifications
• DrPH or PhD in a related field; • Demonstrated commitment to public health practice (e.g., rural settings, especially the Appalachian Region, infectious disease, OneHealth); • Access to national, regional, state and/or local partnerships and resources that enhance the MPH program and integrate it within agencies, initiatives, and programs; • Training and experience as site visitor for CEPH accreditation; • Ability to work in a team environment with academic faculty and public health and/or community practitioners; • Experience in teaching and mentoring MPH students. |
Review Date
June 1, 2020
Additional Information
Applicants must submit a formal cover letter addressing scholarship interests and qualifications, brief statements of teaching philosophy/experience and research interests/experience, a brief statement describing the applicant’s interest in and experience working with diverse groups and underrepresented populations, a current curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references who can assess the applicant’s qualifications for this position. Inquiries concerning the position or application process should be directed to Dr. Kathy Hosig, search committee co-chair, at KHosig@vt.edu. Review of applications will begin on January 30, 2020 and continue until a successful candidate has been identified.
The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check
About Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT—serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. We seek candidates who adopt and practice the Principles of Community, which are fundamental to our on-going efforts to increase access and inclusion, and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation please contact the hiring department.