JASON SMITH
DEAN, COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
WHY: Public health law, climate crisis and healthcare expert at helm of one of OC’s top state universities. Previously served as chair of the Department of Public Health at California State University, East Bay. Research interests include examining the economic and social conditions that influence individual and group health differences. Named to CSUF post last year.
BOARD WORK: Member of the American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics board of directors; American Council of Education fellow at University of California, Santa Cruz.
FUTURE PLANS: Goals include expanding college’s partnerships with the community, add experiential learning opportunities, support sustainability and climate resiliency efforts, and linking the college’s mission to improving the health of Orange County through teaching, research and service.
IN THEIR WORDS: “CSUF has an important role to play not only in providing opportunities and education for our students, but also in supporting and improving the welfare of our surrounding community,” he said at time of appointment. “The College of Health and Human Development is primed to build upon that goal.”
