Rhonda BeLue, PhD, is an esteemed Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Partnerships and a Professor of Public Health. Her work centers on bridging gaps in healthcare accessibility and promoting health equity through community partnerships, policy advocacy, and intervention development. Dr. BeLue’s research interests include health services research, health policy, and organizational development aimed at advancing health outcomes for marginalized populations.

Dr. BeLue leads the SHARP (Safety-net Healthcare Advocacy, Research, and Policy) Lab, where she utilizes her endowed position funds to support and mentor undergraduate students. Her work with the SHARP Lab underscores her commitment to making healthcare knowledge accessible and actionable within communities, particularly those historically disenfranchised. In recent years, Dr. BeLue has spearheaded various applied research and community engagement projects in partnership with healthcare safety-net and community organizations. Notably, she collaborated with local organizations to deliver COVID-19 vaccine education and increase vaccination uptake in underserved communities, which faced disproportionate impacts from the virus. In recognition of her impactful contributions to public health, Dr. BeLue was inducted into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health in 2021. Her dedication to health equity and community-centered policy development positions her as a leader and advocate within the public health sphere.