Faculty Profile
Aunamesha Henley
Assistant Professor, Health Sciences Programs
College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences
Assistant Professor
DrPH, Loma Linda University
MPH, George Mason University
MBA, Howard University
BS, Howard University
Biography
Dr. Aunamesha T. Henley is an energetic and innovative social activist with experience building coalitions in corporate, academic, community, and political-based settings. Dr. Henley has served as an associate professor, program director, community based participatory researcher, department chair, manager, international studies coordinator, field director, health equity and food justice professional for more than 10 years. Aunamesha was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa and she graduated from Howard University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and George Mason University in 2011 with a Master of Public Health in Community Health, and Loma Linda University in 2015 with a Doctor of Public in Health Education and Nutrition. Her dissertation was entitled Culture and Physical Activity Among Black Female College Students: Applying the PEN-3 model. Her work is centered on developing culturally sensitive research assessment tools regarding lifestyle behaviors for marginalized communities. Dr. Henley recently just earned her Master in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Howard University.
Dr. Henley has always believed in fighting for the underprivileged and underserved in her community. During her time at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, she served as a program offer for over 49,000 District of Columbia Public School students. As a program officer, she worked to educate and empower DC youth to adapt healthy lifestyles. At Howard University, Dr. Henley helped plan and execute programs targeted to decrease health disparities amongst Black and brown, gender and sexual minority residents. She also developed two global health programs to increase marginalized students’ opportunities to study abroad. Since entering the field of public health, Aunamesha has immersed herself in varies health topics and communities via various community-based advocacy boards, advisory committees, research projects, and volunteer opportunities. Aunamesha enjoys baking, gardening, dancing, reading, entrepreneurship, mentoring, and traveling. She has traveled to 33 countries and counting. Aunamesha is a chocolatier and a beekeeper by trade. She an active member of the DC Beekeeper Association, National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition (NOBIDAN), National Black MBA Association, and American Public Health Association.