Kimberly M Coleman, PhD, MPH, MCHES

Hello!

​

I recently ruturned to the Washington, D.C. area after working in various states for 13 years. I am also a veteran of the U. S. Naval Reserve. I received my BA from Spelman College; an MPH from the University of Michigan; and a PhD from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

​

I have over a decade of public health and health education experience focused on the professional preparation of entry-level and advanced level health educators, health ministry management, health care services administration, research project coordination and smoking cessation and weight management-focused health counseling. My main research expertise focuses on examining the relationship between religion, spirituality, and health; prevention education intervention development, the use of technology for health promotion practice, and community-based participatory research with diverse communities. My research as a doctoral candidate, led to the development of the Black Christians’ HIV/AIDS Survey-Revised (BCHAS-R). This is a first of it's kind survey instrument which assists black Protestant congregations in the development of successful HIV ministries.

​

I was also among the first cohort of professionals to earn the Master Certified Health Education Specialist designation in April 2011. I taught for a total of 7 years at the college-level: 3 years at North Carolina Central University and 4 years on the faculty at Georgia Southern University, having the distinction of being the first joint appointed faculty member between the College of Health and Human Sciences and Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health.



TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:

The concepts of emphasizing diversity, authenticity, challenge, and purposeful application remain as the four cornerstones upon which I teach and view the learning process. Teaching and learning require a commitment to acknowledging and respecting diversity. As ethnic “minority” populations of the United States become the majority, it is also imperative that students learn about and to appreciate the cultural differences of various population groups. My teaching style that is unique and grounded in authenticity. I encourage my students to be equally authentic, because the freedom to be authentic while being taught allows them the freedom to question and synthesize course content without worrying about what others may think. Learning, like physical growth, requires being stretched beyond one’s current status as a result of being challenged. This includes the learning that comes even while teaching. Therefore, the instructor and students must not be afraid of being challenged. It is the instructor’s ability to help the students move from knowledge to purposeful application of the course material. I liken it to looking through “rose-colored glasses”. Nothing makes me more proud than when a student shares a burning tidbit of information or an experience that is related to public health education. These instances mean that that student left the classroom setting, went beyond the academia, and began to see the world with the course content as their “rose-colored” filter. In those moments, knowledge connects with the world through real-life application and become engaged. When these four philosophical foundations are achieved, I believe that I have done my job as an instructor and the student has done his/her job as the learner.



FUN FACTS:

• Started going gray at 16 years old (and I LOVE every strand!)

• Collects frog trinkets from around the world (117 and counting...)

• Lived in (the former, West) Germany for two years in the mid-1980's

• Was a featured vocalist and soloist on The Spelman College Jazz Ensemble's first CD (1993)

• Wanted to be a naval fighter pilot after watching TOP GUN in 1986

• Has TWO cats: Chili and Pepper (My next pet will be a puppy.)

• Is currently learning to crochet and speak Spanish (Latin American)

• Has been Sisterlocked since 2009 (Just say NO to "creamy crack"!) - CLICK HERE TO SEE PICS

• High school graduating class size: 62 students (I'm proud to be a DC Public School graduate!)

• Love to travel - nationally and internationally

• Owns all 15 seasons of "ER" on DVD. Want all DVDs of "Damages", "M*A*S*H", "Burn Notice", & "Scandal" (Yep, I am a GLADIATOR!)

• I am a life-long DALLAS COWBOYS fan!!!!

• Never attended a Michigan Wolverines football game while at student in Ann Arbor (I regret that.)

• Gave my first sermon on a summer 2001 Carnival Cruise while violently seasick entitled, "The Curse That Was A Blessing" (Matthew 27:11-26)

​

MY DREAM CAREER:

Creating and leading a health consulting firm whose mission would be “to impact the mental, physical, social, environmental, and spiritual health of individuals and communities by designing programs that are culturally, racially, and spiritually responsive”.

 

​

Now, you know a bit more about me. I am constantly on the go, but feel free to send me a message or request via my contact page. I am always available and happy to meet bright people with great ideas. 

​

Be Blessed!

- Dr. Coleman