Public Health  News

The Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics is proud to announce the promotion of the following eight distinguished faculty members for the 2024-25 academic year:

Jane Burrell and Mary Kiernan from the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies; Jennifer Genovese and Ryan Heath (with tenure) from the School of Social Work; Bryce Hruska (with tenure) from the Department of Public Health; Rachel Razza and Sara Vasilenko (with tenure) from the Department of Human Development and Family Science; and Patrick Walsh from the Department of Sport Management.

The departments’ Promotion and Tenure committees, along with the Falk College Promotion and Tenure Committee, recommended the promotions after reviewing the faculty members’ areas of teaching, scholarship, research, and service. Recommendations from the Falk committees and Falk College Dean Jeremy S. Jordan were submitted to the Syracuse University Office of Academic Affairs and the University’s Board of Trustees, which granted the promotions.

“The recent promotions at Falk College reflect the exceptional caliber of our faculty,” Jordan says. “These individuals have demonstrated outstanding achievements in teaching, scholarship, and service as rigorously evaluated by departmental and college-wide committees and external reviewers. Their advancement is a testament to their significant contributions and the high standards of excellence we uphold at Falk College and Syracuse University.”

Here’s a look at Falk College’s recently promoted faculty members:

Jane Burrell

Full Teaching Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

Jane Burrell, M.S., RD, CDN, joined Syracuse University as an Instructor of Nutrition in 2009 and became an Associate Teaching Professor in 2018. Burrell teaches a variety of courses exemplifying her value to the Nutrition and Science Dietetics program, and she had taken advantage of resources at Syracuse University and externally to constantly update her courses and pedagogical approaches.

Burrell received the 2023 Falk College Faculty of the Year Teaching Award, and her student teaching evaluations and peer evaluations are consistently excellent. She has contributed service to her profession, the community, Syracuse University, Falk College and her department in several ways, including as a consultant on nutrition education issues with McGraw Hill Publishing; private consultant with the Syracuse Crunch men’s professional hockey team and the Syracuse University women’s rowing and ice hockey teams; and as a member of the Faculty Senate’s Women’s Concerns Committee.

From Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Chair and Associate Professor Lynn Brann:

“Professor Burrell continually seeks new methods for delivering content and engaging with students. She brings her previous clinical practice work into the classroom to provide students with examples of real-life experiences. This is particularly relevant as she teaches courses within the accredited programs of nutrition and students can relate content to their future potential practice.

“Professor Burrell excels in teaching and has demonstrated effectiveness in teaching smaller graduate seminar courses as well as the large (380 person) introductory nutrition course. She provides leadership in teaching and learning within the nutrition programs and the department. Colleagues see her as a valued resource for sharing teaching methods and techniques for effectiveness. Additionally, Professor Burrell is highly available to students, and she provides a welcoming environment to students in her classes and beyond.”

Learn more about Jane Burrell.

Jennifer Genovese

Associate Teaching Professor, School of Social Work

Jennifer Genovese, A.C.S.W., Ph.D., joined Syracuse University as an adjunct instructor in both Child and Family Studies and Social Work in 2010 and became an Assistant Teaching Professor of Social Work in 2018. Genovese is a skilled and versatile instructor who teaches an impressive array of courses central to the Master of Social Work program.

Genovese’s students clearly enjoy her teaching style and commitment to her profession, and her ability to draw on her professional experience is a consistent theme in her students’ evaluations. She has contributed substantial service during her time at Falk College, including serving as the Master of Social Work Program Director and on several departmental committees; mentoring adjunct faculty; and advising the Social Workers United student group.

From School of Social Work Chair and Professor Carrie Smith:

“Jennifer Genovese is a well-respected and highly sought after mental health practitioner in Central New York. She is also an inspiring teacher. We are very pleased with her recent promotion to Associate Teaching Professor and excited about her continued contributions and leadership in our M.S.W. (Master of Social Work) program.”

Learn more about Jennifer Genovese.

Ryan Heath

Associate Professor with Tenure, School of Social Work

Ryan Heath, L.C.S.W., Ph.D., joined the Syracuse University faculty in 2018 and quickly established a productive and coherent research and grant agenda. Heath has been successful in securing external funding to support his research program. As of Spring 2024, he had been a part of over $15 million in external grants, with $685,000 being awarded to him directly.

This early success in securing external funding demonstrates strong potential future accomplishments related to funding. He is also an active early career scholar as evidenced by his 11 peer-reviewed articles, six of which he serves as lead author. Heath publishes in a wide range of journals, demonstrating the interdisciplinary focus of his scholarship.

From School of Social Work Chair and Professor Carrie Smith:

“The School of Social Work is very pleased that Ryan Heath was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure. Ryan’s research seeks to understand how organized activities during out-of-school time (OST) and community schools promote the healthy development of students from under-resourced backgrounds, students of color, and other historically marginalized youth. His community-engaged research holds great promise for building initiatives that will expand and improve community schools across Central and Western New York. We are proud to have him as our colleague.”

Learn more about Ryan Heath.

Bryce Hruska

Associated Professor with Tenure, Department of Public Health

Bryce Hruska, Ph.D., joined Syracuse University in 2015 as a Post-Doctoral Fellow, advanced to a Research Assistant Professor in 2017, and was appointed as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in 2018. During this time, he has established an effective and innovative curriculum/teaching/advising profile at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He typically teaches courses focused on research methods and data analysis and has reliably received high ratings on course evaluations.

Hruska has established a productive and coherent research and grant agenda. He has published 38 peer-reviewed articles in quality journals with 18 as lead author, establishing his ability to lead research activities. Hruska has an impressive record of external funding as evidenced by recent success in securing federal NIH (National Institutes of Health) funding.

From Department of Public Health Chair and Professor David Larsen:

“I’m very pleased to see Dr. Bryce Hruska earn promotion to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure,” Larsen says. “His research in traumatic stress holds great promise for better understanding and responding to the complex mental health burdens our society faces. I look forward to continuing to work with him, and am proud to have him as a colleague in the Public Health department.”

Learn more about Bryce Hruska.

Mary Kiernan

Full Teaching Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

Mary Kiernan, M.B.A., worked in events at the then-Carrier Dome starting 2000 and was elevated to Catering Manager before being hired as a Chef Instructor in the Nutrition and Hospitality Management program in 2007. She was appointed as an Associate Teaching Professor of Food Studies in 2018. The breadth of courses that Kiernan teaches across the Food Studies and Nutrition programs exemplifies her versatility and value to the department.

Kiernan goes beyond educating her students in culinary and food systems and mentors them for careers and life in general. Her many service contributions include serving as the Undergraduate and Minor Director for Food Studies, Co-Chair of the Syracuse University Community Review Board, and Faculty Senator, and being active in her profession with several local and state organizations.

From Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Chair and Associate Professor Lynn Brann:

“Professor Kiernan is reflective of what has worked in the classroom and uses this knowledge to improve the experience for students. Many of Professor Kiernan’s courses involve cooking/food labs. These hands-on experiences are where she shines in the classroom. Students’ knowledge, skills, and confidence grow over the course of a semester and often this is a result of much trial and error.

“In the Farm to Fork class, she guides students to use fresh local produce to create delicious and nourishing meals. In a different course, she leads nutrition students through the process of developing, procuring, and preparing three-course meals that are enjoyed by the campus and community. Professor Kiernan models professional skills and behaviors to students and supports them inside and outside of the classroom to find their passions.”

Learn more about Mary Kiernan.

Rachel Razza

Associate Dean of Human Dynamics and Full Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Science

Rachel Razza, Ph.D., joined Syracuse University in 2007 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2015. She is an accomplished scholar who has made significant contributions to the field of human development through peer reviewed journal articles, book chapters, academic presentations, and invited lectures. The research program she has established has been supported by external funding totaling nearly $700,000, with additional grant submissions currently under review.

Razza has made significant service contributions to the Department of Human Development and Family Science as chair, graduate program director, and member of several departmental and college committees. Her service contributions extend beyond Falk College as she has been a member of numerous University-level committees and an active leader in multiple professional organizations.

From Falk College Dean Jeremy S. Jordan:

“Dr. Rachel Razza’s promotion to Associate Dean reflects her exceptional contributions to our college. Her extensive research experience, leadership roles, and service commitments have prepared her well for this new position. As Associate Dean, Dr. Razza will undoubtedly leverage her expertise to further enhance our academic programs and research initiatives, continuing to make a significant impact on our college and the broader field of human dynamics.”

Learn more about Rachel Razza.

Sara Vasilenko

Associate Professor with Tenure, Department of Human Development and Family Science

Sara Vasilenko, M.S., Ph.D., joined the Syracuse University faculty in 2018 and since that time has developed six courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 2022, she was nominated by her graduate students to receive the University-wide Excellence in Graduate Education Award, and she was honored with the Falk College 2020 Faculty of the Year in Research Award.

Vasilenko’s research has been funded by numerous internal and external grants from prestigious sources, including the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and National Institute on Drug Abuse. For an early career academic, Vasilenko has an impressive publication record with 67 peer-reviewed publications and nearly 2,500 citations of her work. Since arriving at Syracuse University, she has published 12 first-authored journal articles and five book chapters.

From Department of Human Development and Family Science Chair and Associate Professor Matthew Mulvaney:

“Dr. Vasilenko is both an excellent researcher and transformative mentor in our graduate program. The impact of her work is being felt throughout the field of adolescent health. Her innovative and complex research projects employ cutting-edge methodologies to answer some of the most pressing questions central to adolescent well-being.

“Her work is consistently published in the highest-ranked journals and widely cited. Dr. Vasilenko also serves as an exemplar of a scholar-mentor, training the next generation of scholars in her lab that will make further advancements to the field. She offers her time and expertise generously in order to train scholars to the very highest level and so has been recognized with the university-wide Excellence in Graduate Education Award. Her students in her classes and lab have the opportunity to make their own unique impact on the field through their own high-level scholarship.”

Learn more about Sara Vasilenko.

Patrick Walsh

Department Chair and Full Professor, Department of Sport Management

Patrick Walsh, Ph.D., joined Syracuse University in 2014 as Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport Management and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2017. His program of research focused on sport marketing and brand management has resulted in 39 peer-reviewed journal articles, establishing him as a leading scholar in the field.

Walsh has engaged in noteworthy department, college, university, and professional service activities. At the departmental level, he is coordinator for the Emerging Sport Enterprises Minor and the Sport Revenue Management and Operations Minor. At the college level, he has served on the Falk College Faculty Council, Promotion and Tenure Committee, and Grievance Committee.

From Falk College Dean Jeremy S. Jordan:

“Dr. Patrick Walsh’s appointment as department chair marks an exciting new chapter for our Sport Management program. His expertise in sport marketing and brand management, combined with his experience in program coordination and college service, positions him perfectly to lead the department. As chair, Dr. Walsh will undoubtedly enhance our curriculum, strengthen our research profile, and prepare our students for successful careers in the rapidly evolving sports industry.”

Learn more about Patrick Walsh.

You can’t reach your goals alone.

That was a common theme from Syracuse University alumnae during two Coming Back Together events on Sept. 13 at the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. Coming Back Together (CBT) is a triennial event for Black and Latino alumni to return to campus and celebrate their accomplishments, meet current students, and remain connected to Syracuse.

Falk College hosted two CBT alumnae panels: A discussion with three former doctoral students hosted by the Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS), and a panel discussion with three sport industry leaders called “Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women in Sport.”

The HDFS panel included Tracey Lewis-Elligan G ’01, Ph.D., Interim Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs and Associate Professor of Sociology at DePaul University; Shauna Harps ’99, G’05, Ph.D., Principle Research Associate at Westat in Rockville, Maryland; and Chandice Haste-Jackson ’96, G’13, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Student Services and HDFS Associate Teaching Professor in Falk College.

In chronicling their academic journeys and career trajectories, each of the three HDFS panelists highlighted the support they received from Syracuse faculty, including HDFS Pearl S. Falk Endowed Professor Jaipaul Roopnarine, HDFS Professor Ambika Krishnakumar, and Norma Bond Burgess, former chair of the Department of Child and Family Studies (now HDFS).

“The work of the faculty here resonated with me,” Lewis-Elligan said. “Of all my academic journeys, it was the people here who created relationships and invested in us.

“The work that Jaipaul and Ambika are involved in drive change and uplift society,” she added, “and that’s what we’re all here for.”

After receiving her undergraduate degree from Syracuse, Harps went to another school for her master’s degree but returned to Syracuse as a doctoral student.

“I felt very supported here, and when I didn’t get that support (in her master’s program), I came back to Syracuse and picked Ambika as my advisor because I knew she would push me and give me the support I needed,” Harps said. “Having that mentorship, I felt that my growth was important to my professors.”

The sport panel featured Syracuse women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack ’89, NFL Players Association Director of Player Programs and Engagement Chineze “Chinny” Nwagbo ’05, and award-winning broadcaster Vera Jones ’88, G’91 (all former Syracuse basketball players) and was moderated by Tatiana Warren ’05, G’06, Ph.D., a member of the Falk College Advisory Board.

Among a variety of topics, the panelists discussed the growth and impact of women’s sports, the impact of mental health on performance, and personal development and empowerment. Watch the complete panel discussion on the Falk College Vimeo page.

While encouraged about the steady growth of women’s sports, the panelists said there’s more that needs to be done. They referenced the powerful ESPYs speech delivered by South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, who championed pay equity for women.

“What we have to consider is this: If we’re the same, we’re behind,” Legette-Jack said. “Dawn Staley is the best women’s coach in the world, but until we pay her more than the men’s coach, we have a lot of work to do.”

“Sports help drive the culture, and we have a responsibility to be that much more vocal, that much more active, because why wouldn’t we want to help drag the culture along, right?” Jones said.

In sharing very personal experiences that impacted their mental health, the panelists also emphasized the importance of mental health for everyone, not just athletes or those working in the sport industry.

“Athletes are driven to push, and we never stop,” Jones says. “I did that, and I didn’t think (mental health issues) would ever happen to me.”

During a question-and-answer session with students at the end of the event, the panelists were asked how women in sports can advocate for themselves in what remains a male-dominated industry. They described the value of the support they’ve received over the years from women and men, and how important it is to make connections that can help get you in the door so you can prove your value.

“How do you make the person in front of you understand that I’m all in and we’re going to go forward together?” Legette-Jack said. “What does my work say? What kind of character do I bring every day?

“Judge me on those things,” she added, smiling, “and pay me on those things.”

A public health professor whose research focuses on social determinants of health has been selected as the 2024-26 Lender Center for Social Justice faculty fellow.

Miriam Mutambudzi will explore how Black adults who reside in historically redlined neighborhoods can experience a disadvantaged occupational life course and subsequent health consequences. Redlining was a discriminatory practice of designating certain neighborhoods, especially predominantly Black ones, as being poor credit risks.

Mutambudzi is an assistant professor of public health at the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. She is also a faculty affiliate of three centers at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs: the Center for Aging and Policy Studies; the Aging Studies Institute; and the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion.

In addition to Mutambudzi, an interdisciplinary team of student fellows will work on the project. Students from any discipline and background who are excited about community advocacy and social justice are encouraged to apply for the two-year fellowships. Applications are accepted through early October and fellows are chosen before the end of the fall semester. The faculty-student group will present their findings at a community symposium in 2026.

We recently sat down with Mutambudzi to learn more about her project.

Why is this topic important?

This research tackles the ongoing challenges faced by Black communities from the legacy of historical discriminatory housing practices and the subsequent impact of those practices on community members’ employment and health.

While the Fair Housing Act of 1968 was enacted as federal law, it failed to fully dismantle racial discrimination in housing resulting from the practice of redlining. Redlining is a discriminatory practice that began in 1930s America [where] banks and insurance companies refused or limited loans, mortgages and insurance to residents of specific geographic areas—primarily neighborhoods with predominantly Black residents. Residents of redlined areas had limited access to credit and other financial services and were hindered in their efforts to own homes, invest in property or improve their neighborhoods. The results were often urban decay and a perpetuation of poverty in those areas.

While redlining is a historical concept, its effects are very much present today. Its legacy continues to limit many life opportunities, and neighborhoods with predominantly Black residents where that occurred still face social and economic disadvantages.

How do limited employment prospects—or the lack of a good job—affect health issues?

Both employment and discriminatory policies are key factors contributing to racial disparities in health outcomes. Job insecurity, precarity, lower wages and periods of unemployment—which occur more frequently among Black workers—all contribute to income gaps and limit access to good health insurance and quality healthcare.

Young adults from disadvantaged neighborhoods enter the workforce at a significant disadvantage. Job prospects within their communities are scarce, limiting their ability to find work that pays well, offers stability and provides a path for advancement.

This lack of good-quality jobs in their immediate surroundings creates a vicious cycle and the absence of good-quality, stable employment nearby creates a double-edged sword. Not only are opportunities limited, but these young adults also miss out on crucial skill-building and networking chances that come with these jobs. Those factors further restrict their potential, hindering their ability to compete for better opportunities.

In addition, involuntary employment interruptions are more frequent for these young adults and further disrupt their career trajectories. This disparity perpetuates a system where economic mobility becomes nearly impossible for those starting from behind. The cascading constraints imposed by limited job opportunities in disadvantaged neighborhoods have a profound impact on residents’ access to health-promoting resources, creating a cycle that undermines well-being.

For example, limited financial resources often translate to poor housing conditions, which may be overcrowded, poorly maintained and may lack essential amenities. Nutritious and organic foods are generally more expensive and less readily available in “food deserts,” leading to a reliance on cheaper, processed unhealthy foods. The jobs in which Black workers are disproportionately employed may contribute to these health issues, as their work is more likely to be physically and psychologically demanding. All of these factors also combine to contribute to increased risks of health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, respiratory illness and hypertension.

What questions are shaping your research?

There’s much we don’t know about how historically racist policies such as redlining continued to affect the employment trajectories of Black Americans. People can work for 45 years or more in their lives, so it’s essential that we understand the factors that shape occupational trajectories and the subsequent impacts they have on a person’s health.

This project looks at three areas: developing an understanding of historically redlined neighborhoods as predictors of racial disparities in long-term employment trajectories: seeing how employment trajectories may be predictors of chronic health conditions and determining how education might moderate those relationships.

In what ways will the student fellows be involved?

They will contribute to data analysis and management and will conduct literature reviews to gather relevant reports on social and economic disparities and health outcomes. They’ll help synthesize findings to inform the study’s background and contextual understanding. Students will also have opportunities to engage with the local community since my goal is to work with grassroots organizations that are already addressing the adverse effects of redlining in Syracuse.

What do you hope to accomplish with this research?

My goal is to illustrate how the historical discriminatory redlining policy that systematically marginalized Black communities still adversely impacts work and health for those communities today, regardless of residents’ educational attainment.

Ultimately, we want to raise awareness regarding the lasting effects of discriminatory practices as fundamental social determinants of health that require much attention, and inspire policymakers, community leaders and the public to drive meaningful action.

A Syracuse University News story by Diane Stirling originally published on Aug. 16, 2024.

It’s not easy to condense about four years of research into two minutes, but that’s exactly what Syracuse University Public Health Professor David Larsen did during a visit to the White House on Aug. 27.

Larsen, Chair of the Department of Public Health in Syracuse’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, was invited to present to a panel of scientists, policymakers, and policy implementers at an information-gathering event called the “White House Roundtable on Emerging Technologies for Preventing Health Emergencies.” At the onset of COVID in 2020, Larsen spearheaded an interdisciplinary team of experts in coordination with the New York State Department of Health to create a wastewater surveillance system throughout New York State.

As one of many presenters during the three-hour roundtable, Larsen was given two minutes to discuss the merits of testing wastewater for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

“It was quite humbling to receive the invitation,” Larsen says. “I always hope that my work can influence public health, and since COVID-19 I’ve been trying to support the improvement of our infectious disease surveillance systems in New York State and this country.”

Today, the New York State Wastewater Surveillance Network is testing for COVID in at least one wastewater treatment plant in all 62 of the state’s counties, covering a population of 15.4 million. The New York State Wastewater Surveillance Network dashboard provides the most recent statistics regarding the network.

Days before Larsen’s trip to Washington, D.C., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named the New York State Department of Health Wastewater Surveillance Program as a new Center of Excellence in the National Wastewater Surveillance System. New York’s system was recognized by the CDC for its exemplary performance in the early detection and monitoring of communicable diseases such as COVID-19, polio, influenza, and more.

This past spring, Larsen received a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to teach and continue his wastewater surveillance research at the Medical University of Innsbruck in Austria.

So, Larsen is clearly a leading expert in this field and he received the invitation to speak at the White House from Nicole Fehrenbach, the Branch Chief of the Rapid Response Research and Surveillance Branch of the CDC. The CDC is intimately familiar with Larsen’s work as the New York State Wastewater Surveillance Network is a part of the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System.

Larsen had visited Washington, D.C., before Aug. 27 and saw the White House from the outside, but he had never been in the complex until he attended the roundtable hosted by the White House Office of Science and Technology in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

“Walking into the Eisenhower Office Building and seeing the offices of the Chief of Staff and other executive officials and the west wing of the White House was a bit surreal,” Larsen says. “It was the culmination of a lot of hard work since March of 2020.”

During his “lightning talk,” Larsen says he emphasized that the functions of infectious disease surveillance are two-fold.

“First, they need to alert us when a community is at increased risk,” he told the panel. “And second, they need to confirm a community is no longer at risk.

“The Covid-19 pandemic showed how inadequately our systems performed in these two functions,” he added. “So, improvements are needed. Wastewater is a great way for both of these, and perhaps one of the most cost-effective ways to confirm a community is not at risk.”

Larsen says his remarks were “well received,” although he can’t share specific reactions because of the privacy guidelines for the roundtable. He’s encouraged that panelists were responsive because of the looming funding needs for wastewater surveillance.

“Right now, wastewater surveillance in the U.S. is largely being funded by COVID-19 emergency funds,” Larsen says. “As the emergency is over, those funds will expire. I hope that future funding will be made available to continue these efforts.”

Those efforts, which started on the campus of Syracuse University and now extend worldwide, will continue at Syracuse with Larsen leading the way.

“Right now, my team at Syracuse is focused on transitioning the operations of the program we’ve built in New York over to the State Department of Health,” he says. “That will allow us to dive deeper into the science and maximize the benefits of the systems.

“With the newly awarded Center of Excellence, we will support other states in the region, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” he adds. “And then globally, the Europeans are leading an effort to coordinate global wastewater surveillance and we’ll continue to support those efforts.”

Knowing first-hand the benefits of mentorship and allyship in breaking barriers for women in all fields of work, Warren will be spending this year’s Coming Back Together weekend giving back to current students during two signature events at Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

Coming Back Together (CBT) is a triennial event for Black and Latino alumni to return to campus and celebrate their accomplishments, meet current students, and remain connected to Syracuse. For this year’s CBT from Sept. 12-15, Warren will participate in a networking event for current students and moderate a star-studded panel discussion called “Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women in Sport.”

“Having mentors and allies who believe in your potential can make a significant difference in one’s career trajectory,” says Warren, a member of the Falk College Advisory Board. “Additionally, creating inclusive environments where diverse voices are heard and valued is essential for driving systemic change. It’s not just about giving women a seat at the table, but also ensuring they have the support and opportunities to thrive.”

Warren, fellow Falk College Advisory Board members Dr. LaTisha Marshall and Andrea Massop Ramos, MCN, and Sport Management Advisory Council member Jasmine Jordan worked together to create the Falk networking and panel discussion events.

Warren earned her Bachelor of Science (’04) and Master of Science in Exercise Physiology (’06) degrees from Syracuse University, and her Ph.D. in public health with a focus on health aspects of physical activity from the University of South Carolina. Affectionately known as “Dr. Tati,” Warren is a distinguished health equity strategist and the founder of Just TATI, a multimedia initiative dedicated to disseminating accurate, evidence-based health information to diverse audiences. Warren consults with health professionals, community leaders, educators, and community members to implement and evaluate effective health programs.

Warren attended CBT for the first time in 2017 and says the weekend “was incredibly nostalgic” for her as she played in the inaugural CBT Celebrity Basketball Classic for former student-athletes.

“I’ve learned that Coming Back Together is a fantastic opportunity to bridge the gap across all generations, especially for Black and Latino communities, and invest in the future Syracuse leaders of tomorrow,” she says.

To that end, Warren, Massop Ramos, and other notable Syracuse University alums will participate in a speed networking event with students from 12-12:45 p.m. Sept. 13 in Room 335 at Falk College. Massop Ramos is a clinical nutritionist, private health chef, and entrepreneur who in 2018 founded Healthy FRIENDZ Nutrition to build independence and confidence in youth, students with disabilities, and the aging.

Warren says networking is a crucial gateway to establishing and advancing your career, and she has a wealth knowledge and experience to share after spending nearly two decades specializing in community engagement and improving health in underserved populations.

“My first job opportunity after completing my doctoral degree in healthcare was at a hospital, and it came about because I was a Syracuse University alumna,’’ Warren says. “I remember that interview being effortless; I simply discussed my experiences at Syracuse, highlighting how being a student-athlete and specifically a student-athlete of color laid the foundation for my commitment to community-based work from an equity perspective.”

The panel discussion featuring Syracuse women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack, NFL Players Association Director of Player Programs and Engagement Chinny Nwagbo, and award-winning broadcaster Vera Jones (all former Syracuse basketball players) will run from 1-1:50 p.m. Sept. 13 in Grant Auditorium at Falk College.

Jones will also be the emcee and announcer for this year’s CBT Celebrity Basketball Classic. “This game is for those who can walk the walk,” Jones says. “I can talk the talk and that’s what I plan to do!”

Warren says the panel topic–Breaking Barries and Empowering Women in Sport–is important to her because she has spent her professional career breaking barriers as often the only woman or person of color serving boards or advisory groups that helped shape the future of health programs for people of color or people from marginalized communities.

“Empowering women in sports is close to my heart; as a former track and field athlete and recipient of the Doris Soladay Award, I understand the unique challenges and triumphs women face in this field,” she says. “This discussion’s theme extends beyond the sports industry as it highlights the broader issues of gender and racial equity, representation, and empowerment in all sectors of society.”

In addition to the networking event and panel discussion, Falk is sponsoring a table at the Sept. 14 “Shades of Orange Sneaker Ball,” a fundraising and alumni awards gala at the JMA Wireless Dome to support the Our Time Has Come Scholarship. Here’s a complete list of CBT events, and visit the Syracuse University website to register through Aug. 31.

Here’s more information about the guests for the Falk College panel discussion:

Felisha Legette-Jack, ’89

Head Coach – Syracuse University Women’s Basketball

“Coach Jack,” a Syracuse University alumna with degrees in child and family studies and psychology, returned to lead the Orange basketball program in 2022. With over 30 years of coaching experience, she has guided three Division I programs to 13 winning seasons, nine postseason berths, and six 20-win seasons, amassing a 343-279 record. Legette-Jack is enshrined in several halls of fame, including the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame, the Syracuse Urban Sports Hall of Fame and the Syracuse University Orange Plus Hall of Fame. In 2021, she became the first female in Syracuse University history to have her No. 33 jersey retired in the JMA Wireless Dome rafters.

Chineze (Chinny) Nwagbo, ’05

Director of Player Programs and Engagement – NFL Players Association

Chinny Nwagbo, a former Syracuse University women’s basketball standout, graduated in 2005 with a degree in biology. She played professional basketball for 11 years in various countries and represented Nigeria in the 2006 World Championship Games. Post-retirement, Nwagbo has built a successful career in the sports industry with roles at the U.S. Department of State, PeacePlayers International, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, and more. She now serves as Director of Player Programs and Engagement at the NFLPA, creating resources to help professional athletes succeed beyond their playing careers.

Vera Jones, ’88, G’91

President. Vera’s VoiceWorks, LLC
Adjunct Professor of Public Speaking. University of North Florida

Vera Jones, is a motivational speaker, communication coach, author, and award-winning broadcaster. She has over 30 years of experience as a women’s basketball analyst and reporter for ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBA-TV. Vera hosts the women’s basketball show “Certified Unscripted” and the motivational podcast “Perseverance Live.” She holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and a master’s degree in television, radio, and film from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Matthew Armstrong

Matthew Armstrong, Ph.D., joins the Department of Exercise Science as an assistant professor of exercise science. This August, Armstrong founded the Applied Cardiovascular Physiology Lab at Syracuse University. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Armstrong was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Health and Human Physiology from 2021-24 at the University of Iowa, where he conducted research focused on large artery structure and function. Before moving to the United States, he completed a Ph.D. in Australia at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania.

Learn more about Matthew Armstrong.

William Collins

William “Bill” Collins joins the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies as an assistant teaching professor. He will teach classes in Food Science and Culinary Arts. Prior to this appointment, Collins worked at Syracuse University for 17 years as a Culinary Specialist. Before joining Syracuse University, Collins spent 30 years as an Executive Chef and Food and Beverage Director operating restaurants in Manhattan and across Central New York. He was employed at Montrachet, TriBeCa Grill, Nobu, Reebok Sports Club, MacKenzie-Childs, the Aurora Inn, and his signature restaurant, bc, located in Armory Square in downtown Syracuse.

Learn more about Williams Collins.

Jason DeFreitas

Jason DeFreitas, Ph.D., joins the Department of Exercise Science as chair and professor of exercise science. Prior to joining Syracuse University, DeFreitas was an associate professor and program coordinator of the Health and Human Performance program at Oklahoma State University. He spent 11 years at Oklahoma State, where he primarily taught classes in neuroanatomy and neuromuscular physiology. DeFreitas’ research focuses on how the brain controls movement, and how that control system changes with aging and/or training. His lab utilizes brain stimulation techniques, functional brain imaging, nerve conduction studies, and more. He has a strong applied focus with goals of reducing fall risk in older adults through physical activity interventions and improved diagnostic testing.

Learn more about Jason DeFreitas.

Sue Cornelius Edson

Sue Cornelius Edson joins the Department of Sport Management as a professor of practice. Edson currently serves as chief communications officer for Syracuse Athletics and is responsible for all public relations and media relations functions for the department. A 34-year veteran of Syracuse Athletics, Edson was promoted to her current role in the spring of 2015. Prior to her promotion, she served as associate director of athletics for communications (2006-14), assistant director of athletics for communications (2004-06), and director of athletic communications (1997-2004). Edson previously taught a class in sports public relations as an adjunct professor in Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications from 1994 to 2013.

Learn more about Sue Cornelius Edson.

Brandon Hollie

Brandon Hollie, Ph.D., joins the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy as an online assistant teaching professor. He will primarily teach classes related to theories of Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently, Hollie is the Owner/CEO of Hollie Therapy and Counseling and a researcher at Mathematica Policy Research. Prior to Mathematica, he was a postdoctoral research scholar with the Family Institute at Northwestern University.

Learn more about Brandon Hollie.

Alexia Lopes

Alexia Lopes, Ph.D., joins the Department of Sport Management as an assistant teaching professor. She will teach classes in International Sports Relations and Introduction to Sport Management. Her teaching focus will be on the international business of sport. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Lopes was an assistant professor from 2022-24 at St. Norbert College, where in two years she started two sport management programs (i.e., a minor and a major) in the Schneider School of Business and Economics. Beyond developing the sport management curriculum and teaching business courses, she was actively engaged in the Green Bay community.

Learn more about Alexia Lopes.

Britney Pitts

Britney Pitts, Ph.D., joins the School of Social Work as an assistant teaching professor in the online master of social work program (M.S.W.). Her teaching centers on anti-racism and social justice to support individual, family, and community well-being. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Pitts taught human behavior courses, advanced clinical practice courses, and generalist field instruction at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She supervised M.S.W. and bachelor of social work (B.S.W.) interns and received the 2023 Liaison of the Year Award at VCU. Pitts also taught research courses at Iona University.

Learn more about Britney Pitts.

Kerianne Rubenstein

Kerianne Rubenstein, Ph.D., joins the Department of Sport Management as an assistant professor. She will teach classes in sport Analytics, primarily sport economics. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Rubenstein was an assistant professor from 2021-24 at North Dakota State University, where she taught economics and was a fellow with the Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth, and the Center for the Study of Public Choice and Private Enterprise.

Learn more about Kerianne Rubenstein.

Riley Whiting

Riley Whiting, Ph.D., joins the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy as an assistant teaching professor. He will teach graduate courses for the Marriage and Family Therapy program. Whiting recently completed his doctorate at the Ohio State University, where he nurtured his passion for teaching, clinical work, and research. He enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families in a private practice, and finds satisfaction in seeking to inspire students both in the classroom and through research.

Learn more about Riley Whiting.

Dessa Bergen-Cico, professor and graduate director in the Department of Public Health in Falk College and coordinator of the Addiction Studies Programs at Syracuse University, was recently interviewed by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for its “Prevention Profiles” podcast series that is focused on campus drug prevention.

In the interview, Bergen-Cico speaks extensively about Syracuse University academics and student life and covers the evolution of her more than 25 years addressing substance use prevention. Watch the podcast on the Prevent Profiles website.

Here’s the description of the interview from the website: “During the interview, Dr. Bergen-Cico discusses how prevention in the higher education space has evolved since the early 1990s, how preventing drug use among college students can transcend being seen solely as a student affairs issue to a broader public health issue, some of the challenges faculty members face when it comes to drug use among college students, and more.”

Bergen-Cico is currently leading a research team that’s exploring how to combine an artificial intelligence system with mindfulness-based practices to help people in treatment for opioid use disorder. She co-developed the International Drug Policy Academy, which is one of several unique opportunities for students to obtain global experience that exposes them to new ways of thinking about substance abuse and addictive behaviors.

Bergen-Cico was recently selected as Falk College’s Honors Core Faculty member by a four-person committee in consultation with Falk Dean Jeremy Jordan and Honors Program Director Danielle Taana Smith.