Dr. LaTarsha Michael is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management in the College of Health Sciences at Jackson State University. She is a public health expert with more than 17 years of mental and public health experience with emphasis in health education and prevention. With research endeavors focusing on public health disparities and education, she continuously strives to identify health promotion contributions and effective interventions. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Mississippi Public Health Association- in which she currently serves as Health Administration Section Treasurer. Dr. Michael also serves on several committees- additionally currently serving as Chairperson for the CO-COMP Project Independent Peer Review Council. In 2024, she was selected to participate in JSU’s interdisciplinary Spring Break Extreme Faculty Program and one of seven faculty award recipients of JSU’s Research Seed Grant Award. Dr. Michael was also named the 91st Annual MS Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Convention’s “Distinguished Service Award” recipient.