Inclusivity and collegiality are among the words that describe Michele Wood’s leadership as chair of the Department of Public Health, vice chair of the Academic Senate and supporter of students’ academic success and well-being.
Wood, professor of public health, earned a doctorate in public health from UCLA. She joined Cal State Fullerton over 16 years ago and has established a long record of collegial governance.
For Wood’s significant contributions to shared collaboration, she is the recipient of the 2026 John W. “Jack” Bedell Faculty Leadership in Collegial Governance Award. The award is named after the late John “Jack” Bedell, professor emeritus of sociology, who served as Academic Senate chair seven times and was dedicated to service to the university.
“Dr. Wood serves her university, department, staff, faculty, students and communities in an incredibly significant way, creating innovative approaches that go above and beyond to meet the mission of our college and university,” said Celestina Barbosa-Leiker, dean of the College of Health and Human Development.
“She also serves other leaders, a unique attribute that makes her an incredibly well-regarded colleague throughout our university.”
Public health faculty members Anthony DiStefano and Jasmeet Gill shared that their colleague leads by example and fosters a culture of respect and inclusivity.
“Mentoring, evaluating and managing one’s colleagues while working beside them day-to-day is not for the faint of heart, though Dr. Wood makes it look easy,” DiStefano and Gill wrote in their letter nominating Wood for the award.
“Without exception, she remains cool, collected, solicitous of additional feedback and empathetic with all involved. Her ability to demonstrate a commitment to shared governance, even under very challenging and emotionally charged situations, is the mark of a truly effective leader.”
Wood has led campus initiatives relating to general education program changes. She has served on the Academic Senate for more than a decade, including holding four nonconsecutive terms on the Senate Executive Leadership Committee.
In her eighth year as department chair, Wood’s colleagues agreed that she has created a welcoming environment in which every faculty member — from lecturers to tenured professors — is valued and respected.
Her colleagues emphasized that she has strong communication, mediation and consensus-building skills, and is trustworthy and fair. Most importantly, they agreed that she ensures every voice is heard.
“Dr. Wood has built a department culture rooted in mutual respect, transparency and collective success,” said Lohuwa Mamudu, assistant professor of public health.
In Wood’s department leadership role, she championed the Community Health Ambassador Program, a workforce development program for public health graduate students, and serves on the Health and Human Development College Leadership Council.
Wood noted that she is not someone who actively seeks leadership roles. She said that her leadership style emphasizes analytical skills and vision, a strong dose of empathy and input from others — before making decisions.
“I serve enthusiastically when called to lead. I prefer collaborative decision-making and serving others by creating an environment in which faculty, staff and students can more easily accomplish their goals,” she said.
“It’s important for faculty and other stakeholders to express their experiences, concerns, questions and beliefs about matters that affect them.”