Demonica Jones

Demonica Jones is a Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Health Studies at American University, specializing in health equity initiatives for vulnerable youth populations through research, teaching, and community engagement.

Education:

• DrPH in Community and Behavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University
• MPH in Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago
• MSW in Organization and Community Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago
• BS in Community Health and Spanish, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Research Focus: Dr. Jones conducts critical work in HIV prevention, maternal/child health outcomes during pandemics, and healthcare transitions for adolescents. Her research specifically targets LGBTQ+ youth, unhoused populations, and young people with special healthcare needs, emphasizing community-driven solutions that foster autonomy and mutual understanding between professionals and marginalized groups.

Professional Engagement: A dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she operationalizes her guiding principle—“Be the change you wish to see in the world”—across teaching and scholarship. Her passion for global travel informs her perspective on cross-cultural health equity.

Teaching Portfolio: For Spring 2025 and Fall 2025, she instructs core courses including Introduction to Public Health (HLTH-110), Health Promotion (HLTH-240), and Multicultural Health (HLTH-245), plus community service learning projects focused on practical public health application.