Kimberly Jacob Arriola, PhD, MPH, professor of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education (BSHE) was appointed associate dean for Academic Affairs, effective January 2016.

Arriola is best known for her work developing and evaluating interventions that improve access to transplantation and improve public commitment to organ and tissue donations among African Americans. In addition to her research she will focus on activities in faculty development and advancement and the administration of the school’s doctoral programs.

"I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Arriola," says James Curran, MD, MPH. "As a highly respected mentor and peer to both her students and colleagues, in addition to her invaluable research contributions, I am confident that she will continue to make tremendous strides and advances in this new position."

A summa cum laude graduate of Spelman College, she received her PhD in Social Psychology from Northeastern University. She also completed an MPH in Epidemiology at Rollins School of Public Health. Her work appears in numerous publications including the American Journal of Public Health where a collaborative article won "Paper of the Year" in 2012.

Arriola is a 2010 alumnus of the Woodruff Leadership Academy and a 2012 graduate of the American Psychological Association Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology. In 2014, she received the Emory Williams Distinguished Teaching Award. She will maintain her commitment to teaching courses and mentoring MPH and doctoral students in BSHE and to her funded program of research. Her appointment intends to broaden the engagement of faculty in school administration.