Roanoke hosts national retreat for public health education leaders

By Ashley Mountcastle '27

Roanoke College was picked to host a national conference that brought together leaders who are shaping public health education.

The first-ever Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Undergraduate Leadership Retreat was held here from Sept. 11-13. Attendees included professors, deans and program directors from 42 colleges and universities across the United States as well as four representatives from the ASPPH.  

Roanoke College was selected to host, in part, to showcase how it approached creating its own, well-regarded public health studies program as a liberal arts college in a smaller metropolitan area. Undergraduate programs are a growing movement in the field, and Roanoke established itself as a leader when it launched its bachelor’s degree program in 2017.

The college’s program takes an interdisciplinary approach that examines the connections between society and health care needs, while providing students with strong career-readiness training for professions in health fields. Roanoke worked with leading health care organizations from across the region to ensure students had opportunities for internships, research and other real-world learning experiences.

“Our guests loved our campus and were incredibly grateful for the hospitality they met, including students, staff, and other faculty,” said Professor Shannon Anderson, coordinator of the public health studies major and senior director of strategic health initiatives. “They also loved staying in the area and getting to see the beautiful community. They learned, connected, and enjoyed everything the Roanoke Valley has to offer.”  

The retreat provided opportunities for education leaders in public health to engage in discussions about teachings models, share challenges and innovations, and envision possibilities for future partnerships.

The ASPPH represents more than 150 schools and programs, acting as a voice for public health education, training the next generation of public health professionals and advocating for policies that will improve the well-being and health of everyone.

The ASPPH with host an annual meeting in Arlington, Virginia, from March 19-21, 2025, open to all faculty and students. For more information, visit aspph.org/events.