In continuation of the Oakland University School of Health Sciences’ search for a new dean, a third open-interview session was conducted on May 2 in Lake Superior A.

Members of OU faculty, staff and administration gathered once again to hear information from the next prospective candidate, Dr. Mark Williams.

Meet Mark Williams, M.A., Ph.D.

Dr. Williams currently holds a position as the associate dean of Academic Affairs at the Florida International University’s Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work. He was appointed chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management in 2011 shortly after his arrival and soon fulfilled the role as interim dean for 2013 and 2014.

He has spent more than 20 years conducting research in the fields of behavioral epidemiology, disease prevention and health promotion in underserved and minority populations.

Past this, he has served as the principal investigator, co-principal investigator or investigator on more than 30 studies funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Mental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

He has also held roles on the editorial boards of three national and international journals and is a regular reviewer for more than 20 scholarly journals. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and has previously worked as the American co-editor of “AIDS Care.”

Williams received his doctoral degree in 1983 from the University of Iowa in Political Science, with concentrations in Policy Analysis and Research Methods, and taught at the University of Rhode Island and the University of St. Thomas after completing his studies.

His presentation was organized into four categories, each of which aimed to explain his vision to accommodate the characteristics and abilities that the SHS is looking for in a prospective dean.

The first section of the presentation focused on the topic of the willingness to engage in collaborative creativity, take risks and teach respective service. He spoke on the importance of building an environment that may aid in encouraging and empowering students with the use of creative teamwork.

“I feel that we would need to create an environment where we may create a new level of collaborative education,” Williams said. “An environment where faculty and staff will have the opportunity to think and discuss important questions without fear of restriction.”

He stressed the importance of becoming comfortable with experimental learning as well as planning time for collaboration between departments.

He addressed the importance of building relationships within the SHS and beyond and explained the necessity of partnerships within the community and ways to maintain these connections.

Williams touched on the ways enhancing resources and fundraising would benefit the institution.  

“It’s important that we get the message out and make sure people can believe in what we’re doing,” Williams said. “People want to give, but they want to give to something that they know will make a difference. They want their money to do good.”

Finally, he spoke on the topic of fostering diversity within the SHS and closed with his thoughts on the potential for the school.

For any questions or other inquiries related to Dr. Williams’ presentation,  contact Dr. Williams at [email protected].  

The final open interview session for Dr. Kevin Ball was scheduled for Tuesday, May 3 in Lake Superior A, and was open to all members of the university community.