Bio

Lauren Thomas has spent over 15 years in the public health field in both North and South Carolina, educating groups on topics ranging from smoke-free policies to litter prevention, from walkable communities to preventing unintended pregnancies. In her courses, students will recognize the strength of their own local expertise and community perspective, while also learning about proven strategies that improve health, researching local data for direction, and engaging with partners in dialogue about what strategies are most feasible to implement and sustain long-term.

Lauren's professional interest and personal curiosity lies in identifying ways to make green space more accessible to the public. How do trails attract people and yield improved community outcomes? What trail designs perform best in promoting physical activity?  Lauren is a board member of the Lindsay Pettus Greenway and participates in both the Lancaster County Trails Advisory Committee and the Eat Smart Move More coalition of Lancaster County.

Education

• 2009 - Graduate Certificate in Health Communications, University of South Carolina
• 2007 – Master of Public Health in Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina
• 2005 – Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications, University of South Carolina

Courses Taught

• HPEB 300: Introduction to Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior
• HPEB 553: Community Health Problems (and Assets)
• HPEB 511: Health Problems in a Changing Society
• HPEB 501: Human Sexuality Education
• UNIV 401: Graduation with Leadership Distinction

Interests

• Active community environments
• Asset-based community development
• Social determinants of health