Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Community Partners, and Friends,

I am delighted to share an exciting milestone in the evolution of our institution. Beginning the 2026-2027 academic year, the College of Public Health will be known as the College of Public Health and Health Sciences.

This new name reflects both who we are today and where we are headed. Over the years, our college has expanded in scope, expertise, and impact - growing beyond traditional public health disciplines to include a broader spectrum of health sciences. The updated name more accurately represents the dynamic, interdisciplinary work taking place across our programs, research initiatives, and community partnerships.

As part of this transition, we are proud to welcome several programs that strengthen and diversify our academic portfolio: Athletic Training; Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology; Health Education and Promotion; Integrated Health Studies; Long-Term Care Administration; Nutrition and Dietetics; Speech Pathology and Audiology; Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology; and Sports Medicine. These additions enhance our collective expertise and create new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and student success.

This change aligns with a forward-looking vision for academic excellence - one that emphasizes deeper connections across disciplines and prepares students for the increasingly complex and evolving demands of their professions. By bringing public health and health sciences together more intentionally, we are creating opportunities for integrated, comprehensive learning experiences that reflect real-world challenges.

At the heart of this evolution is a principle that continues to guide everything we do: putting students first. This commitment drives our efforts to create meaningful academic experiences, expand opportunities for hands-on learning, and ensure our graduates are well-prepared to lead and succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Our mission remains steadfast: to advance health, promote equity, and prepare the next generation of leaders committed to improving the well-being of individuals and communities. This evolution strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful academic programs, foster collaboration across areas of expertise, support student success and fulfill the needs of the communities we serve.

I am deeply grateful to our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners whose dedication has made this transition possible. Together, we will continue to build on our strong foundation and shape a future where innovation, collaboration, and impact define who we are.
Thank you for being part of this exciting new chapter.

Yours in good health,

Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Public Health and Health Sciences

Meet Our Dean

Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D., assumed the leadership of the college on July 1, 2011.  Alemagno has a proven academic track record in administration, research, teaching, and service.

Alemagno joined Kent State in 2009 to assist in the development of the new College of Public Health. She has held the position of interim vice president for research since July 1, 2010. Before joining Kent State, she was the chair of the Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies and director of the Institute for Health and Social Policy at the University of Akron. Alemagno’s honors include a National Institutes on Health Career Development Award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Akron Outstanding Researcher Award in 2005. In addition, she has been the principal investigator on research projects and Small Business Innovation Research funded by the National Institutes on Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Justice and the SAMSHA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Alemagno earned a master of arts in sociology from Kent State in 1984 and a doctor of philosophy degree in medical sociology from Case Western Reserve University in 1991. She resides in Russell, Ohio.