Faculty, staff and students at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health gathered February 13 to celebrate a major institutional milestone: the college’s reaffirmed accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) through December 2032.
The event marked the culmination of a rigorous, multi-year process that signals the College’s commitment to excellence in public health education, research and service.
“Securing CEPH accreditation through 2032 is more than a milestone; it is a commitment to a culture of intentionality,” said College of Public Health Dean Heather Bush. “Through assessment and continuous improvement, we ensure our College constantly evolves to meet the needs of our students. This process reinforces our ultimate promise to the Commonwealth: that we are a world-class engine for public health, purpose-built for advancing the health of Kentucky.”
The re-accreditation process began in 2022 with a self-study period —a comprehensive, three-year effort to evaluate the college’s alignment with 47 accreditation criteria. The effort was overseen by the Council on Education for Public Health, an independent accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools and programs of public health. The University of Kentucky College of Public Health was last granted accreditation in 2018 for a seven-year term.
The self-study drew on the perspectives and expertise of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners across the college. A preliminary report was submitted in January 2025, followed by a final 293-page document in May.
That work culminated in a three-day site visit, during which peer evaluators and a CEPH staff member reviewed the college’s strategic planning, curriculum, student and alumni outcomes, instructional effectiveness, and resource infrastructure.
During the site visit, representatives from across the college, along with alumni, community partners, and university leadership, participated in discussions that showcased the depth and impact of the College of Public Health’s work.
Sarah Jane Robbins, College Operations and Program Analyst, played a pivotal role in the reaccreditation process alongside Dean Bush and Acting Associate Dean for Academic Excellence Paula Arnett. Looking back, she recalls one specific moment when she knew the site visit had pivoted from a rigorous evaluation to a resounding success.
“Our team members were explaining innovative processes to display research data, and I looked over to our site visit team, [and] they were just listening intently as peers and fellow public health professionals,” Sarah said. “I looked across the table to Dr. Paula Arnett, and we just smiled at each other, knowing our college did a good job and the site visit was a success.”
The CEPH Council reviewed their findings during their winter 2025 session and voted to extend CPH’s accreditation through 2032. The college received official notification on December 19, 2025.
Leadership Reflections on a Milestone Achievement
College leaders emphasized that reaccreditation is both a validation of past work and a commitment to the future.
“It confirms that we have built the right structures and culture to grow impactful public health research that works hand‑in‑hand with our teaching and service mission,” said Svetla Slavova, Associate Dean for Research at the College.
Several leaders highlighted the student-centered impact of accreditation.
“To me, accreditation is a collective investment in our students’ success,” said Keely Rees, Associate Dean for Faculty and Staff Advancement. “It ensures we remain a strong pipeline for the Commonwealth’s future workforce.”
From an academic perspective, Sarah Cprek, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programming, emphasized accreditation as a framework for growth.
“It confirms that we are meeting national standards and provides a structure for continuously strengthening our academic programs so our graduates are prepared to lead at the highest level,” she said.
Amanda Ellis, Associate Dean for Graduate Programming, underscored the importance of accountability.
“Accreditation keeps us focused on continuously improving so that our graduates leave prepared, confident, and ready to make an impact,” she said.
Christy Anderson, Assistant Dean for Finance, who experienced the process for the first time, came away truly inspired.
“Dean Bush set the tone with her clear vision, and our faculty, staff, and students spoke with such authentic pride,” she said. “What could have been a stressful moment instead became a powerful reflection of who we are. The outcome speaks for itself: our college shined.”
Looking Ahead: A Culture of Continuous Improvement
As CPH moves into its next seven‑year accreditation cycle, the college is committed to building on this momentum.
“This momentum will build upon itself to continue a strong ecosystem of continuous improvement and evaluative thinking, data‑driven practices, and collective leadership,” Robbins said. “This process not only reaffirms our reaccreditation but reaffirms the purpose of what we do every day for public health.”
