Tina L. West Appointed Faculty at Rutgers School of Public Health

Tina L. West, Ed.D., M.S., has joined the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy as an instructor. She will also serve as the Doctoral Programs Leader. 

In her role, West will support academic administration, mentoring initiatives, and efforts that advance doctoral student success across the school.

“Dr. Tina West is a valued educator and mentor whose work reflects the mission and values of the Rutgers School of Public Health,” said Laura Liang, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  “She is known for inclusive teaching and student-centered mentorship. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Tina West as the Doctoral Programs Leader and look forward to her impact on our doctoral community.”

West brings more than 18 years of higher education experience with expertise in student success initiatives, project management, event planning, and fundraising. She earned her doctorate in Organizational Learning, Leadership, and Innovation from Wilmington University in 2023 and has a sustained commitment to elevating student learning through real-world application and inclusive engagement. Her leadership promotes collaborative environments that empower students to share diverse perspectives and contribute meaningfully to their academic journeys.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. West serving in this new role,” said Perry N. Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health. “Her nearly two-decade-long experience in higher education will be invaluable as she will help our doctoral students learn and excel.” 

West’s work extends beyond academic administration. Her research endeavors include examining the lived experiences of Black women leaders compared with other-race women leaders, with a focus on promoting equity in leadership pathways. She also launched Ageless Beauties on the Move in 2025, a women’s support community dedicated to fostering connection, wellness, mentorship, and empowerment. The Ageless Beauties on the Move website is anticipated to launch in 2026.

“I am grateful to Drs. Halkitis and Liang for their leadership in empowering me,” said West. “I continue to be excited to contribute all that I can to support the mission here at Rutgers, School of Public Health by strengthening innovative support structures that enhance student success, advance equity, and cultivate leadership for our next generation of leaders.”

West is also motivated by the opportunity to publish and plans to include her lived experiences as an instructor, as well as to share proven research methods and best practices for fostering an inclusive learning environment asynchronously and synchronously, promoting a teacher-student experiential learning experience and best practices for student mentoring.