School News and Updates

This year’s Black History Month theme, African Americans and Labor, explores the significant role of Black labor throughout history—spanning from enslaved Africans’ forced agricultural work to the organized labor movements fighting for justice and economic equity.

To commemorate Black History Month and deepen our understanding of this theme, we sat down with Teri Lassiter, Assistant Dean for Justice, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for Education and an assistant professor in the Department of Urban-Global Public Health at the Rutgers School of Public Health, to discuss the historical and modern implications of Black labor, its connection to social justice, and the lessons we must take forward.

Min-Jeong Yang, Ph.D., M.S., has joined the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy as an assistant professor. She has also joined the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine & Tobacco Studies as core faculty.

While traditional sustainability efforts often focus on environmental concerns, there is a growing need to focus on the interconnectedness of planetary health and human health. The climate crisis is a public health issue and threat multiplier, intensifying existing health disparities within societies. Achieving environmental justice is inherently tied to advancing public health.

Rutgers School of Public Health recently celebrated the success of Expressions of Community: A Workplace Program of Mind and Body Wellness. This unique initiative, led by Michelle Ruidíaz-Santiago, executive assistant in the Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, and John Ciampi, administrative assistant in the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, was funded by a Rutgers Health Joy at Work grant.

From beginning his career, working behind-the-scenes on daytime talk shows like The Bethenny Frankel Show and Anderson Cooper to joining Rutgers in an IT position that combines his passions of Media, Film, and Technology, Raymond Clinkscale knows how to multi-task and capitalize on any opportunity that comes his way.

Erica L. Eliason, Ph.D., M.P.H. has joined the Rutgers School of Public Health Department of Urban-Global Public Health as an assistant professor. She is also a member of the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy within the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research.