Excellence in Teaching Award: Emily Youatt

Emily Youatt, assistant dean for Student Engagement and Practice, director of undergraduate education, and professor of health behavior and health education, was named the 2023 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award for her dedication to educating public health professionals of tomorrow.

Dr. Youatt is described by her peers and colleagues as a fierce advocate for Michigan Public Health’s growing undergraduate program both at the administrative level and as a teacher and mentor in the classroom. She has been the director of the program since 2018 and, under her leadership, the program has seen growth of over 230%.

In the recent 2021-2022 School of Public Health exit survey, 93% of graduating students indicated that they were very satisfied or satisfied with their experience in their undergraduate degree program at Michigan Public Health. Dr. Youatt’s students and colleagues attribute much of that success to her.

“Her enthusiasm for public health is clearly evident in her day-to-day lectures, but it is her compassion for each individual and her charisma that leaves an indelible mark on her students when they leave the classroom,” said Reem Fawaz, BS '23. “She instills confidence in each of us and challenges us to think critically and explore unconventional paths to achieve our goals rather than simply imparting knowledge.”

Youatt’s passion for not only public health but for teaching are seen and felt by her colleagues everyday.

“From the perspective of a colleague, Emily's enthusiasm and commitment to her teaching help to inspire not only students but other faculty in the school to think about their pedagogical approaches,” said Allison Miller, professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education. “She clearly has a passion for teaching and is dedicated to providing students with an excellent experience at this pivotal moment in their lives.”

In addition to teaching the students already attending Michigan Public Health, Youatt has also dedicated much of her time to recruiting future cohorts of students. She actively works with underrepresented undergraduate students to show them that they have a home waiting for them at Michigan Public Health, and she has worked with area community colleges and minority-serving organizations at the University to engage students in public health.

These efforts to create an inclusive and welcoming school environment have not gone unnoticed by Youatt’s students.

“Dr. Youatt embodies what it means to be a mentor,” said student Abigail Knapp. “She doesn’t just care about the success of her students within the confines of the classroom, she is committed to helping us grow as public health professionals and as advocates for equity.

“Dr. Youatt has cultivated a learning space where students strengthen their relationships with one another, feel valued as human beings, and realize that no grade or assignment deadline is more important than their mental or emotional well-being.”