معرفی
Cynthia Toms, Ph.D., is a Professor of Global Studies and Kinesiology at Westmont College, Santa Barbara. She specializes in Global Health, Social Models of Health, and Food Security, with a focus on integrating community engagement and global development. Her roles include directing Westmont's Global Health in Uganda Semester program and co-advising the global studies fellows program. During 2022-2023, she held a Sabbatical Fellowship at Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine, researching food security and social determinants of health.
Dr. Toms has held previous academic positions at the University of Notre Dame, Uganda Studies Program, and institutions in China. Her research collaborations include the Food Bank of Santa Barbara and community-driven initiatives in Santa Barbara’s Westside. She serves on boards for Child Family Health International, Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation, and The Community-based Global Learning Collaborative.
Her research interests span food security, global health/development, and intercultural engagement. Notable awards include the Dissertation of the Year (2012) from CIES and IARSLCE, 2019 Teacher of the Year, and induction into Messiah University's Athletic Hall of Honor (2018). She volunteers with local equestrian organizations and is an active member of the US Pony Club. Dr. Toms resides in Santa Barbara with her family.
Her work emphasizes transformative education through global partnerships, blending academic rigor with community service. Key themes in her publications include service-learning methodologies, intercultural competency, and the intersection of faith/spirituality with education and health.
