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“My work is driven by a passion for health equity, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, and a dedication to creating positive impacts both within and beyond the university community.”

Andrew M. Snyder, ’14, M.P.H. ’17, has spent much of his professional career at ������ serving in a variety of roles including outreach program director, adjunct faculty member, research program coordinator and academic advisor. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Health both from Kent State. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in public health. He is the 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Staff Member Award that recognizes a current Kent State full-time staff member who contributes significantly to the success of Kent State and its programs, as well as the community and their profession.

Andrew goes above and beyond as the outreach program director at Kent State's College of Public Health and has a demonstrated commitment to extraordinary service that extends beyond the boundaries of his position. “My work is driven by a passion for health equity, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, and a dedication to creating positive impacts both within and beyond the university community,” said Andrew. “It's cliché, but I never work a day of my life because I love what I do.”

His work was instrumental in the creation of Kent State’s LGBTQ+ public health graduate certificate that explores the foundational topics and complex issues that contribute to public health and individual health inequities affecting sexual and gender minorities and strategies that promote health and healthy behaviors. The certificate can be taken as a stand-alone program or within the Master of Public Health curriculum.

As director of the LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment, Andrew coordinated the investigation of the disproportionate burden of physical, mental and behavioral health, economic, legal, social and political issues affecting members of the LGBTQ+ community in Greater Akron, Greater Cleveland and the Mahoning Valley.  This project, the first of its kind in Ohio, has increased awareness of the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and contributed to the development of targeted interventions and commitments to investments that address critical gaps in health services and resources. “To help meet the needs of individuals who have been historically overlooked, you have to go beyond the normal scope of work; To meet people when and where they are,” he said. “ My work on the LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessments is a demonstration of the transformative potential that stems from our academic experiences at Kent State.”

In his current outreach role, Andrew actively engages with peers, sharing insights, fostering collaboration, providing mentorship and demonstrating that impactful contributions are achievable within the academic realm. His commitment to health equity and LGBTQ+ advocacy has created a ripple effect, inspiring colleagues and students to actively contribute to community well-being and foster a culture of empathy and inclusion within academia.

“Andrew's dedication to advancing health equity is evident through his involvement in professional organizations such as the Ohio Public Health Association, American Public Health Association and the LGBTQ Health Caucus Policy Committee,” said Shaunte Rouse, assistant director, equity and diversity training, Division of People, Culture and Belonging.

Andrew’s approach to service is rooted in authenticity, proactivity and community engagement through innovative initiatives that make a lasting impact on the university. “I am profoundly grateful for the space Kent State has provided for me to evolve into the community leader I am today,” he said. “I am dedicated to enriching the lives of my peers, students, alumni and community members by instilling the belief in the transformative power of academic pursuit.”