WEST CHESTER, PA — Three esteemed faculty members from West Chester University’s College of Health Sciences (CHS) were celebrated for their outstanding contributions during the December commencement ceremonies. These educators, who instruct both undergraduate and graduate courses, were acknowledged for their innovative teaching methods, commitment to diversity, and impactful research.
Chiwoneso Tinago, an associate professor of public health sciences, was awarded the prestigious E. Riley Holman Memorial Faculty Award. This honor showcases Tinago’s pioneering teaching techniques that inspire student ingenuity. Aside from her teaching duties, Tinago facilitates community-oriented health promotion and education programs. She also leads participatory research aimed at enhancing maternal and child health outcomes domestically and in southeast Africa. Her impactful work was recognized in 2018 with a $100,000 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Round 20 Grand Challenge Explorations Grant. Tinago also serves as the internship coordinator and faculty internship advisor for the public health program and chairs the CHS Global Health Research Team and the Global Initiatives Committee.
The Campus Diversity Award was jointly presented to Zeinab Baba, assistant professor of public health sciences, and Kimberly Johnson, associate professor of nutrition. The award applauds their significant contributions towards fostering diversity on campus. Baba and Johnson co-developed and facilitate the CHS Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Learning Community (DIFLC). The DIFLC encourages CHS faculty to engage in discussions, case studies, readings, and listen to guest speakers to enhance cultural competence and cultivate inclusive learning environments. Launched in fall 2020, their efforts have resulted in a collective document outlining strategies for inclusive practices. The program, supported by a WCU Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion grant, has expanded to include all faculty for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Baba, the assessment coordinator for the MPH program, brings extensive experience in managing and analyzing healthcare datasets for pediatric and adult populations. Her research, which focuses on prevention, health disparities, mental health, and perceptions of health, intersects public health with social work, migration, cultural anthropology, and more.
Johnson, who directs the Sustainable Food Systems Management concentration of the nutrition program, conducts research on the social theory of food and nutrition, sustainable food systems, social determinants of health, food security, and public engagement in science and policy of food, health, and citizenship. Her work has been funded by an Allen Foundation grant.
Learn more about the College of Health Sciences here.
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