Jennifer Griffith, an instructional professor in the department of health policy and management in the School of Public Health at Texas A&M University, has been honored by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health with the 2024 Riegelman Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education.
The annual award recognizes faculty in public health fields who have made exemplary efforts to start or sustain an undergraduate program, collaborated with community partners and other disciplines, and garnered respect and enthusiasm from students. In 2014, Dr. Griffith was a founding faculty member of Texas A&M University’s bachelor’s degree program in public health, which was the first undergraduate program in the School of Public Health. The school’s undergraduate enrollment grew from 18 students in its initial cohort to 2,303 students across three degree programs in the current academic year.
Dr. Griffith began her career with Texas A&M University in 2008 as an adjunct assistant professor. Throughout her tenure, she has held numerous leadership positions such as director of practicum experiences, director of the master of public health degree program, associate dean for public health practice, and associate dean for academic affairs. Earlier in her career, she served as a researcher and adjunct assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by ASPPH as the 2024 Riegelman Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education recipient,” Dr. Griffith said. “Witnessing undergraduate students realize their passion and love for the field of public health has been and continues to be the most rewarding aspect of my career. I am grateful and fortunate to be surrounded by like-minded colleagues who have and continue to support, guide and challenge me in this journey of training the next generation of public health professionals.”
Dr. Griffith holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master of public health degree in social and behavioral health from Texas A&M University. She received her Ph.D. in health behavior and health education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.