Master of Public Health courses are taught by Health Sciences and Physical Education faculty and faculty from a variety of disciplines at Northeastern. For more information, review the faculty profiles below and feel free to reach out to discuss course offerings and curriculum.
Please contact Dr. James Ball, Coordinator of Public Health Graduate Programs, with any questions you may have about the program.
Ph.D. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 2013. Dissertation: Factors affecting adoption and diffusion of distance education among university health faculty. Health Education and Promotion
M.S. University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, 2007. Leadership competencies of recreational directors in the state of Wisconsin: A Delphi study. Recreational Management.
B.S. University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, 2002. Health Education (K-12 teacher certification) with a Strength and Conditioning Concentration.
Turek, T., Wragge, P., Bice, M., & Ball, J. (2017). Physical activity motivation among sororities and fraternities. International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education, 1(2), 1-10. Retrieved from: http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/PubuPTcx6B5ERRrapzGc/full.
Bice, M., Hollman, A., Bickford, S., Bickford, N., Ball, J., Wiedenman, E., Brown, G., Dinkel, D., & Adkins, M. (2017). Kinesiology in 360 degrees. International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education, 1( 9-17. Retrieved from: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24711616.2016.1277671.
Banas, J., Ball, J., Wallis, L., & Greshon, S. (2017). The adolescent health care broker: Young people interpreting for family members and themselves in health care. The Journal of Community Health. DOI: 10.1007/s10900-016-0312-5. Retrieved from: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10900-016-0312-5/fulltext.html.
Ball, J., Banas, J., & Bice, M. (2016). Understanding health care brokering among young and middle-aged adults. American Journal of Health Studies. 31(4), 190-198.
Bice, M., Ball, J., Parry, T. & Adkins, M. (2016). Retrospective evaluation of high school primary physical activities and adulthood physical activity need satisfaction. Sport Science Review, 25(3-4), 183-198.
Banas, J., Wallis, L., Ball, J., & Gershon, S. (2016). Adolescent healthcare brokering: Prevalence, experience, impact, and opportunities. Journal of School Health, 86(12), 898-904.
Ball, J., Bice, M., & Parry, T. (2016). Retrospective evaluation of high school sport participation and adult BMI status, physical activity levels, and motivation to exercise. American Journal of Health Studies, 31(1), 105-111.
Bice, M., Carey, J., Brown, G., Adkins, M., & Ball, J. (2016). The use of mobile application to enhance learning of the skeletal system in introductory anatomy & physiology students. The International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education, 27(1). 14-20.
Bice, M., Ball, J., Ramsey, A., & Adkins, M. (2016). Health technology ownership and use: Implications for adult physical activity. Journal of Sport and Health Research, 8(1), 13-22.
Ball, J., & Bice, M. (2015). Adult BMI and physical activity: Retrospective evaluation of high school sport and recreation participation. Recreation Sports Journal. 39(2), 144-156.
Ball, J., Bice, M., & Adkins, M. (2015). Qualitative assessment of an electronic activity-tracking device: Strengths, weaknesses, and considerations in behavior change interventions for health educators. The Health Educator. 47(1), 20-26
Bice, M., Ball, J., & McClaran, S. (2015). Wearable electronic activity-tracking technology: Nike fuelband se and physical activity motivation. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology,13(2), 1-9.
Ball, J., Ogletree, R., Jurkowski, Asunda, P., & Miller, K. (2014). Diffusion of innovation elements that influence the adoption and diffusion of distance education in health. American Journal of Health Studies, 29(3), 240-246.
Ball, J., Bice, M., & Parry, T. (2014). Adult motivation for physical activity: Differentiating motives for exercise, sport, and recreation. Recreation Sports Journal. 38(2), 130-142.
Ball, J., Foust, C., & Rochester, C. (2014). Mindfulness practice in the classroom and gym: Making a real impact in student learning. COAHPERD Journal. 40(1), 9-14.
Bice, M., Ball, J., & Ramsey, A. (2014). Relations between mindfulness and mental health outcomes: Need fulfillment as a mediator. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion.16(3), 191-201.
Bice, M., Ball, J., Brown, S., & Parry, T. (2014). Influence of high school sport participation on adult physical activity. Journal of Sport and Health Research.6(3), 253-264.
Hostetter, K., Ball, J., Clark, R., & Deluna, J. (2015, June). Healthcare Issues & Conditions Relative to Ethnically Diverse Populations. Poster presentation at the 2015 National Athletic Training Association Clinical Symposia and Athletic Training Expo in St. Louis, Mo.
Ball, J. (2015, April). Mindfulness Implementation into the Classroom. Experiential Education Poster Session and Scholars Showcase at Colorado State University-Pueblo in Pueblo, Colo.
Bice, M. & Ball, J. (2015, April). Innovation perceptions & motivation to implement a coordinated school health program in rural Nebraska. Poster presentation at the 2015 Society for Public Health Education National Conference in Portland, Ore.
Ball, J. & Bice, M. (2015, March). Specific physical activities participated during high school increase lifetime activity. Poster presentation at the 2015 Society of Health and Physical Educators National Conference in Seattle, Wash.
Bice, M. & Ball, J. (2015, March). Relations between physical activity, mindfulness, and mental health outcomes. Poster presentation at the 2015 Society of Health and Physical Educators National Conference in Seattle, Wash.
Ball, J. & Bice, M. (2015, January). Exercise motivation among adults who had access to a physical activity tracking device. Poster presentation at the 2015 National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education Conference in Clearwater, Fla.
Foust, C., Rochester, C., & Ball, J. (2014, October). Implementing mindful techniques in children and adolescents. Oral presentation at the 2014 Colorado Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance State Conference in Westminster, Colo.
2013-2015 Assistant Professor of Health Promotion. Colorado State University-Pueblo.
Room PE 1136
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
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Ed.D., Instructional Design & Technology; Northern Illinois University
M.S. Ed., Curriculum & Instruction; Northern Illinois University
M.P.H., Health Education & Promotion; University of Illinois - Chicago
B.S., Health Care Planning & Administration; University of Illinois - Champaign
Banas, J., Valley, J., & Chaudhri, A. (2021). A biblioguidance approach to understanding and developing adolescents’ social-emotional competence in the health education classroom: a formative research study. Health Education, 121(5), 486-503. https://doi.org/10.1108/HE-01-2021-0008
Banas, J. (2021). Developing adolescents’ social-emotional competence and health literacy: a formative research study preview. Academia Letters, Article 617. https://doi.org/10.20935/AL617
Banas, J., Gershon, S., Christiansen, D., & Castellanos, M. (2020). Promoting health careers among diverse youth to improve health equity. Illinois Journal.
Banas, J.R., Oh, M., Willard, R., & Dunn, J. (2020). A public health approach to uncovering the health-related needs of teen library patrons. Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults, 11(1). http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/HealthNeedsTe…
Banas, J. & Wartalski, R. (2019). Developing a community of learners. Library Technology Reports, 5(4), 8-13.
Banas, J., Magasi, S., The, K., & Victorson, D. (2019). Recruiting and retaining people with disabilities for qualitative health research: Challenges and solutions. Qualitative Health Research, 29(7), 1056-1064.
Santos Green, L., Banas, J. R., Perkins, R. (Eds). (2017). The flipped college classroom: conceptualized and re-conceptualized. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
Banas, J., Ball, J., Wallis, L., & Gershon, S. (2017). The adolescent healthcare broker: Adolescents interpreting for family members and themselves in healthcare. Journal of Community Health, 42(4), 739-747. doi:10.1007/s10900-016-0312-5
Banas J, Victorson D, Gutierrez S, Cordero E, Guitelman J, & Haas N. Developing a peer-to-peer mhealth application to connect Hispanic cancer patients (2017). Journal of Cancer Education, 32,158-165. doi: 10.1007/s13187-016-1066
Banas, J., Wallis, L., Ball, J., & Gershon, S. (2016). Adolescent healthcare brokering: prevalence, experience, impact, and opportunities. The Journal of School Health, 86(12), 898-904. doi: 10.1111/josh.12456
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States
MD: College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital – Clinical Medicine and Surgery
EdD: Western Kentucky University – Organizational Leadership [Health and Education]
MPH: Western Kentucky University – Public Health [Environmental Health and Health Promotion]
MA: Western Kentucky University – Non-Profit Healthcare Organizations
Ejike, C. (2021). Health Seeking Behaviors Among Displaced Populations. In A. Klimczuk, Demographic Analysis: Selected Concepts, Tools, and Applications (pp. 183 - 198). London, UK: IntechOpen
Ejike, C., Lartey, G., Capps, R. & Ciochetty, D. (2020). Health-seeking cultural patterns in the use of available healthcare services among refugee groups in south-central Kentucky. International Journal of Migration, Health, and Social Care, 16(1), 12-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-08-2018-0051.
Ejike, C., Lartey, G., Capps, R. & Ciochetty, D. (2019). Health-Seeking Behavioral Patterns among Refugee Groups – A Case-Study in South-central Kentucky. Journal of Refugee and Global Health, 2(2), Article 10. DOI: 10.18297/rgh/vol2/iss2/10
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Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
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United States
The University of Akron, Akron OH
Hollis-Sawyer, L. (2021). Differential treatment of older workers due to COVID-19 accommodations: Potential issues of ageism and age discrimination. Journal of Elder Policy, 1(3), 155-174. https://doi.org/10.18278/jep.1.3.6
Patrick, J., Hayslip, B., & Hollis-Sawyer, L. (2020). Adult development and aging. Sage.
Sawyer, T., Nebl, P., & Hollis-Sawyer, L. (2020). Black belt statistics: A competency-based approach (plus SPSS and R). Cognella.
Cole, E., & Hollis-Sawyer, L. (Editors) (2020). Older women who work: Resilience, choice, and change. APA Books.
Hollis-Sawyer, L. (2020). Use it or lose it: Older women and civic engagement. In Cole, E., & Hollis-Sawyer, L. (Editors), Older women who work: Resilience, choice, and change. APA Books.
Selected Professional Awards
Recipient of the 2021 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Titles for Older Women Who Work: Resilience, Choice, and Change (APA Books, 2020).
Recipient of the 2017 British Medical Association (BMA) “Highly Commended” book recognition designation for the Hollis-Sawyer, L. A., & Dykema-Engblade, A. (2016). Women and positive aging: An international perspective. Academic Press book. Awarded at the BMA Award Ceremony in London, UK on September 11, 2017.
Recipient of the 2017 American Psychological Association Division 35 Denmark Women and Aging Award. Awarded at the APA Conf. in Washington, DC on August 5, 2017.
Recipient of the 2014 American Psychological Association (APA) Division 20 Mentorship Award in Adult Development and Aging. Awarded at the APA Conference in Washington, DC on August 9, 2014.
Recipient of the 2014-2018 Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) Program of Merit Award (as Gerontology Coordinator). Awarded at the AGHE Conference in Denver, CO on March 1, 2014.
Room BBH 307E
Northeastern Illinois University
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Foothill College, A.S. in Physical Education/Human Performance
Washington State University, B.S. in Kinesiology
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Master of Public Health
Room PE 1136
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States
2011, Ph.D., Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.
2005, M.S., Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.
2004, B.A., Mathematics, Minor in Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass.
Undergraduate and Graduate Students’ Research
Amber Gehring MS – The Effect of Treatment on Metastasized Lung Cancer: Comparison of Growth Rates (2013)
Ramon Vela MS – KAM Phenomenon in the Rocking Block Model (2014)
Irvin Garcia (UG), Carly Hall (UG), James Beer (UG), and Ricardo Juarez(UG) - Stochastic Model of Sulfur Dioxide and Lava Flow for Nyamuragira (2014)
Patrick Quaid MS – Statistical Analysis of the Advantage of Southpaws in MMA (2015)
Anila Ajdini MS – Monte Carlo Simulations of European Calls (2015)
Alex De Groh MS – Tardiness as an Epidemic (2015)
Carly Hall (UG) (Honors) – Quantification and Modeling of Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Shoaling Patterns in Response to Environmental and Pharmaceutical Treatments (2016)
Alejandro Sanchez MS (RCA Recipient) – Numerical Analysis on a Diffusion Flame with Radiative Heat Loss (2017)
Carlos Villeda MS – The Flow Over a Rotating Cylinder (2017)
Rhys Gunther (UG) (Honors) – Vaccination and Epidemic Avoidance (2019)
Aram Gebretensae MS – Three Population Squirrel Competition Model with Migration of Exotic American Squirrels (2019)
Benjamin Eghan MS – Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of a Competition System with and Infection in One Species (2019)
Grace Kim MS – Nonlinear Stability Analysis: Competing Species that Crossbreed to Make a Hybrid Species (2019)
Grants
Co-PI, NU-STARS for Northeastern Illinois Student Training in Academic Research in the Sciences, 2014- 2019 and 2019-2024. Webpage
Co-PI, Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing within an Elementary and Middle School Pre-Service Teacher Education Curriculum, 2016-2020. Webpage
Co-PI, NSF-IUSE Grant, Peer Enhanced Experiential Research in STEM (PEERS), 2014-2019. Webpage
Co-PI, NSF-HSI Grant, HSI Conference: Catalyzing Progress in Undergraduate STEM Education with Insights from Midwestern HSIs, 2017-2018
Advisory, Mentor for Mathematics Modeling Minor, NU-STARS for Northeastern Illinois Student Training in Academic Research in the Sciences, 2014- 2018.
Mathematics Curriculum Development, NSF-IUSE Grant, Research in the Undergraduate Curriculum, 2014-2018.
Co-Principle Investigator, Underrepresented STEM majors’ perspectives of experiences supporting their mathematical success, $5,000, Research Community Award, 2014.
Co-Principle Investigator, Underrepresented STEM undergraduate and graduate students’ perspectives of experiences supporting their mathematical success, $4,900, Student Center for Science Engagement and U.S. Department of Education, 2014.
Co-Principle Investigator, Underrepresented STEM majors’ perspectives of experiences supporting their mathematical success, $4,000, Committee on Organized Research Award, 2014.
Professional Affiliations & Membership
Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)
American Mathematical Society (AMS)
Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
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2. Culturally engaging wellness programs for new Americans
3. Community service learning
4. Immigrant health
5. Asian American health and wellness
6. Violence prevention
MPH University of Michigan. Health Behavior and Health Education
B.A. University of Michigan Residential College. Social Sciences
Room PE 1144
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States
determinants of health, International education, International virtual learning exchange.
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City
Ph.D.: North Dakota State University, College of Education and Human Development (HIV Prevention Education)
JCL: Catholic University of American, School of Canon Law
M.A.: DePaul University, Health Communication
B.Th.: Pontifical Urbanian University, Rome, Italy, Theology, magna cum laude
B. Phil.: Pointifical Urbanian University, Rome, Italy, Philosophy, magna cum laude
Udoh I. A., Mantell JE, Kelvin E, Adams-Skinner J. (in press). The influence of religion and culture on HIV transmission in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Journal of Religion and Health.
Udoh, I.A. (2019) Oil production, environmental pressures and other sources of violent conflict
in Nigeria, Review of African Political Economy, DOI: 10.1080/03056244.2018.1549028
Udoh, I. A. (2018). Public Health Emergency, UNEP Environmental Assessment and the Clean-up of
Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Arts and Humanities Open Access Journal, 2(6), 386-389.
Udoh, I. A., & Ibok, M. S. (2014). Manipulative and coercive power and the social-ecological
determinants of violent conflict in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. African Conflict and Peacebuilding Review, 4(1), 60-94.
Udoh, I. A. (2013). A Qualitative Review of the Militancy, Amnesty, and Peacebuilding in
Nigeria's Niger Delta. Peace Research, 63-93.
Udoh, I. A. (2013). Globalization and its discontents. Explorations in Adult Higher Education, 2, 46-49.
Udoh, I. A. (2013). Oil, migration and the political economy of HIV/AIDS prevention in Nigeria’s
Niger Delta. International Journal of Health Services, 43(4), 681-697.
Udoh, I. A., Mantell. J. E., Sandfort, T., & Eighmy, M. A. (2009). Potential pathways to HIV/AIDS transmission in the Niger Delta of Nigeria: Poverty, migration and commercial sex. AIDS Care, 21(5), 567-574.
Exner, T. M., Mantell, J. E., Adeokun, L. A., Udoh, I. A., Oladipo, O., Delano, G. E., Faleye, J., & Akinpelu, K. (2009). Mobilizing men as partners: The results of an intervention to increase dual protection among Nigerian men. Health Education Research, 24(5), 846-854..
"Oil, Pollution, and the Political Economy of Violent Conflict in Nigeria's Niger Delta." DePaul University MPH Spring Colloquium, April 24, 2013
"Oil, Environment and health: A review of the 2011 UNEP report on pollution in the Niger Delta." A Workshop for 15 host communities to oil production and executives of oil multinationals in the Niger Delta, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, December 19-20, 2011.
"Oil exploration and health: Analysis of Responses to pollution in Ecuador, Nigeria, and Indonesia." Seminar presentation at the NEHS Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan, Columbia University, New York, November 11, 2011.
Udoh, I., & Workman, M. (2020). Assessing Shared Social, Economic, and Environmental Issues in the United States and Nigeria Through Virtual Exchange. Virtual presentation at the International Virtual Exchange Conference (IVEC): Towards Digital Equity in Internationalization, Newcastle University, UK, September 14-16, 2020.
Leon, R., Joppie, A., Udoh, I., & Workman, M., Olivier, J., & Pearl, M. (2020). Expanding access to international learning through virtual exchange. Remote presentation at the 2020 Distance Teaching & Learning Conference, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Wisconsin, Aug. 3-7, 2020.
Banas, J., York, C., & Udoh, I. (2020). Lessons from a transitional learning experience: US and Liberian Students reading about and discussing health disparities. Presentation at the annual E-Learning & Innovative Pedagogies Conference, Rhodes, Greece (Conference Cancelled), April 2020.
Udoh, I.A. (2019). The Public Health Impact of Oil Pollution in Nigeria. Presentation at the Twelfth Global Studies Conference, Jaggiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, 27-28 June, 2019
Udoh, I.A. (2017). Oil Production and Other Ecological Determinants of HIV/AIDS Risk in Nigeria. Presentation at the International Conference on Clinical & Pharmaceutical Microbiology October 18-20, 2017, Rome, Italy
Udoh, I.A. (2016). Assessing the Effectiveness of the Niger Delta Amnesty Program as a Peace and
Development Strategy in Nigeria. An Address to the 6th Plenary Session of the 2016 International Peace Research Association Conference, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone, November 27 – December 1, 2016.
Udoh, I.A. (2016). Assessment of the Sources of Violent Conflicts and Strategies for Peacebuilding in
Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Presentation at the 26th IPRA General Conference On AGENDA FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT Conflict Prevention, Post-Conflict Transformation, and the Conflict, Disaster Risk, and Sustainable Development Debate. University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone, November 27 – December 1, 2016.
Udoh, I. A. (2011). Oil, Environment and health: A review of the 2011 UNEP report on pollution in
the Niger Delta. A Workshop for 15 host communities to oil production and executives of oil multinationals in the Niger Delta, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, December 19 -20, 2011.
Udoh, I. A. (2011). Oil exploration and health: Analysis of Responses to pollution in Ecuador,
Nigeria, and Indonesia. Seminar presentation at the NEHS Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan, Columbia University, New York, November 11, 2011.
Udoh, I. A. (2011). A comparative analysis of pollution and occupational health in Africa and South
America. A workshop presented to graduate students in the socio-medical sciences track, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, November 10, 2011.
Udoh, I. A. (2010). The status of the federal amnesty program: A review of youth development
programming in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Paper presented at Brown University’s 2010 Achebe Colloquium, Providence, Rhode Island, December 3 – 4, 2010.
Udoh, I A (2009). Integrating of HIV prevention within poverty reduction and human rights: A
model of health promotion in Nigeria. Grand Rounds, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, June 25, 2009.
Udoh, I A, Mantell, J E Sandfort T (2008). A political economy of HIV transmission in the Niger Delta
of Nigeria: Conflict, Poverty, migration and commercial sex work. Poster presented at the International AIDS Conference, Mexico City, Mexico, August 3-9, 2008.
Affiliated Faculty, Health Communication M.A. Program, DePaul University, 2014-2015
Affiliated Faculty, Master of Public Health Program and Department of Environmental Science, DePaul University, 2014 -
Room PE 1142
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
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MPH w/concentration in Program Planning, Northeastern Illinois University
D.C., National University of Health Sciences.
B.A.- Economics, Northeastern Illinois University
Physical Education Building
Northeastern Illinois University
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