Rhonda BeLue

Rhonda BeLue, Ph.D. serves as Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Partnerships and Professor in the Department of Public Health at the University of Texas at San Antonio's College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP). Her leadership bridges academic research with community-based organizations to address systemic health disparities through policy development and intervention design.

Her academic foundation includes:

• Ph.D. in Health Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University
• M.S. in Biometry/Statistics from Cornell University
• B.S. in Biology from the University of New Mexico

Dr. BeLue's research program centers on health equity and community-engaged scholarship, with expertise in organizational development within healthcare systems. Her work examines how neighborhood contexts shape sport participation for Black girls in St. Louis, develops culturally appropriate dementia care models for diverse populations, and implements youth-led HIV testing strategies in Nigeria. Recent studies analyze preconception health indicators among US men and vascular dynamics in sub-Saharan diabetes patients, consistently highlighting racial/ethnic disparities and temporal trends.

Her 2024-2025 publications reveal a strategic focus on culturally responsive interventions across global contexts (Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa) and domestic settings (St. Louis, US healthcare systems), with strong emphasis on community co-creation and structural determinants of health. Methodologically, she employs mixed-methods approaches including spatial analysis, clinical trials, and participatory action research.

Major recognitions include:

• Fulbright Scholar Award (2015) from the U.S. Department of State
• New Connections Program Fellowship (2006) from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Delta Omega Honorary Society membership (2021) in Public Health

While current advising activities aren't detailed in available materials, her innovation bootcamp model demonstrates commitment to youth capacity building. Her strategic planning work emphasizes embedding cultural competence in organizational frameworks, with ongoing projects examining alternative payment models and sleep quality interventions in primary care settings.