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Middle Georgia State University selects Underwood to serve as the Dean of the School of Health Sciences

Middle Georgia State University has selected Tara L. Underwood, DHA, to serve as the Dean of Health Sciences after a national search. Dr. Underwood brings more than 20 years of leadership experience, both in academia and in the business fields to the administrative position.

An Associate Professor of Health Science, Dr. Underwood is also Chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science at Columbus State University in Georgia. She has held leadership roles throughout her 14 years at the university, including Graduate Director of Health Professions and Health Sciences Coordinator.

In addition to her work at Columbus State, Dr. Underwood has been a Faculty Evaluator and Presentation Consultant for the American Council on Education in Washington, D.C. since 2012 and an Adjunct Professor with Mercer University’s Department of Community Medicine/College of Health Professions, Department of Public Health in Georgia since 2010. Her career also has included service with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Georgia, Hampton Health Department and Tidewater Community College in Virginia, Japan Enhanced Network Systems in Tokyo, and the Building Towards Wellness Coalition in Georgia.

After graduating cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in Community Health Education from Morris Brown College in Georgia in 1993, she received her master of science degree in Community Health from Old Dominion University in Virginia. She earned her Doctor of Health Administration from Central Michigan University in 2008.

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