Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)’s Post

ASPPH is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Cynthia Harris as Chair-Elect of the ASPPH Board of Directors. Dr. Harris serves as Associate Dean for Public Health and Director and Professor of the Florida A&M University Institute of Public Health (IPH). A respected leader in academic public health, she is the first Program Director to hold this position, marking a historic milestone for the association and its members. With more than three decades of experience in environmental health, toxicology, and community-based participatory research, Dr. Harris has built a distinguished career advancing health equity, workforce diversity, and community engagement. Under her leadership, the FAMU Institute of Public Health became the first accredited public health program in North Florida and established Florida’s first Doctor of Public Health degree program. Dr. Harris previously served as Branch Chief at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and has led multiple Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded research and community health initiatives. Her term as Chair-Elect will begin following the 2026 ASPPH Annual Meeting, after which she will serve one year as Chair and one year as Immediate Past Chair. Congratulations, Dr. Harris!