Gina Sample, who joined the School of Public Health in 2013 and was previously Director of Academic Effectiveness and Student Success, has been named Assistant Dean for Academic Effectiveness and Student Success.
In this role, Sample continues to manage accreditation as well as the collection and analysis of assessment data to inform curriculum development, enrollment strategies and program enhancement. As Assistant Dean for Academic Effectiveness, she also oversees the SPH’s Office of Applied Practice Experiences and Career Services.
Sample earned her Master of Public Health degree from the GSU School of Public Health and has served in several roles, including MPH Curriculum and Advisement Coordinator and Department Coordinator for Population Health Sciences. She earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Leadership in Higher Education from Columbus State University in 2023.
“Dr. Sample plays an essential role in helping our school maintain the highest level of educational quality,” said Dean Rodney Lyn. “As Assistant Dean, she will work closely with faculty and staff to elevate the student learning experience during a time of significant expansion in our online graduate programs and career services.”
A Q&A with Sample is below:
Like many who are drawn to public health, I sought a meaningful career where I could be of service and make a difference. An internship during my time as an undergraduate student exposed me to the complex, systemic factors that contribute to health disparities, many of which are outside personal control. That experience was pivotal in shaping my decision to pursue public health. After completing my MPH in 2013, I realized how eager I was to work on a college campus. What began as a temporary job in student services, while applying for more traditional public health roles in SPH, soon evolved into a passion for advising, higher education and supporting students. I have been very fortunate that my career at the GSU SPH has allowed me to bring together my passions for public health and student success.
My role focuses primarily on accreditation and assessment, ensuring that we remain in compliance with the Council on Education for Public Health while also monitoring student learning outcomes across programs. Each semester, I collect and analyze data to evaluate whether students are meeting key learning benchmarks. These findings, combined with feedback from students, faculty and staff, inform data-driven decisions that shape our curriculum, student support services, extracurricular opportunities and ultimately the overall student learning experience. In my expanded role as Assistant Dean, I serve as an instructor for the MPH internship class and provide support to our outstanding staff in the Office of Applied Practice Experiences and Career Services (APECS). Through advising and professional development events, we help students translate their academic training into real-world experience while building the skills and professional networks essential for their career search.
This is an unprecedented time in public health, and ensuring that our students are well-prepared for the evolving career landscape is a top priority. I am committed to supporting the APECS team in delivering high-quality career development and applied practice opportunities that equip students to navigate uncertainty with confidence. I have also been involved in the launch of five new online MPH concentrations this fall and look forward to continuing to help our online programs evolve and thrive. Finally, I’m excited to be working with our new assessment specialist, who will assist with annual reporting and accreditation efforts. This next year will be spent streamlining processes and laying the groundwork for our next self-study for reaccreditation.