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has named William Garner, DrPH, MPH as associate dean of academic, faculty and student affairs. With an impressive career spanning over 30 years at national, state, and local levels, Garner brings a wealth of experience to this vital leadership role.

In his new position, Garner will play a pivotal role in advancing the academic mission of the UT School of Public Health at San Antonio. His dynamic and visionary leadership, coupled with his extensive experience in policy and education, positions him as an invaluable asset to the dean's leadership team. Garner's responsibilities will encompass overseeing academic programs, managing faculty affairs and enhancing the student experience to ensure a high-quality learning environment. His strategic approach, informed by data and research, aligns with the school's core values, emphasizing success for all, inclusivity, and academic excellence. 

Previously, Garner developed federal advocacy strategies related to Medicaid, Medicare, 340B, pharmaceutical access, the medically uninsured, DSH for Parkland Health & Hospital System, the National Governors Association (NGA) and the University of Chicago Medical Center. Garner began on Capitol Hill as the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 2005 Louis Stokes Public Health Policy Fellow and served with Congressman Edolphus Towns and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce before moving on to hold key advisory roles in the legislative policy process, serving as a congressional legislative director and senior policy advisor and professional staff member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. 

Garner’s most recent experience is serving as associate professor of Public Health at the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas). Garner has distinguished himself through excellence in teaching, receiving accolades from both students and peers. Garner's leadership extends beyond the classroom, having chaired numerous committees and task forces at UNT Dallas, including the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, the Faculty Senate Advisory Committee and Faculty Senator. Additionally, he has served as an ad hoc member of two National Institute of Health review panels, parliamentarian of the  and contributed to various boards and commissions.

Garner earned a Master of Science and a Doctorate of Public Health in Health Management and Policy from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth and a bachelor's degree in English from Texas A&M University-Commerce. 

The School of Public Health is grateful for the work of the search advisory committee for this position, chaired by Timothy Raabe, PhD, associate dean for academic affairs in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and professor of nursing. We look forward to the positive impact Garner will have on the academic community. His dedication to student success, faculty development and strategic planning will undoubtedly contribute to the school’s continued growth and success.