Fielding Notes | Dean's Corner 9.21.26

Welcome to the start of a new academic year at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health! Whether you are returning to our campus or stepping into our halls for the very first time, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome our extraordinary community of students, staff, researchers, and faculty. The energy that September brings is always palpable, and as we gather together for the fall quarter I am deeply inspired by the shared commitment, brilliant minds, and collective passion that make our school a global leader in public health.

As I shared in my initial message to you on July 1, our overarching mission is driven by a dedication to translating rigorous science into transformative, real-world action. We are here to champion health equity, pioneer life-saving research, teach life-sustaining prevention, and train the next generation of leaders equipped to tackle the world’s most complex health challenges. This academic year, our collaborative efforts will be anchored by a powerful new motto: "Protecting Tomorrow Today." This phrase captures the very essence of our calling. From confronting the immediate health impacts of a changing climate to addressing health disparities to improving communications about public health, we are working today to build a more resilient and inclusive tomorrow.

As we embark on this journey together, I invite each of you to lean into collaboration and support one another in our shared endeavors. The public health challenges ahead of us are significant, but our capacity to drive meaningful, lasting change is even greater. I look forward to crossing paths with many of you in the coming weeks, learning about your ongoing projects, and seeing how we will bring our vital mission to life together. Have a wonderful and productive start to the academic year.