College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences names interim associate dean of research and graduate studies

Rachel Mayo has been named interim associate dean of research and graduate studies in Clemson’s College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences. Mayo brings more than two decades of experience to the position, both as a faculty leader and prolific researcher.

“I am excited to serve in this role to support faculty from diverse disciplines in their research,” Mayo said. “I look forward to helping build our college’s graduate programs so that they can further support the college’s mission of building people and communities.”

Mayo is currently the Wallace R. Roy Distinguished Professor in Public Health Sciences. She has a background in public health, with specific training and expertise in women’s health. Her research interests include health disparities as well as cancer prevention and control among minorities and the underserved, particularly African American and Latino populations.

She has been the principal investigator or co-investigator on more than $4 million in grants and contracts. Currently, Mayo is the PI on a DHHS-funded cohort study to examine an early treatment model for infants born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome to opioid-addicted mothers. She has previous NIH funding examining medical and nursing students’ readiness to treat Latino patients and to increase breast and cervical cancer screenings through a large statewide intervention in African American churches.

Leslie Hossfeld, dean of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, said Mayo is more than capable of continuing to drive the positive growth of the college’s research portfolio and its graduate programs. She said Mayo’s experience as a leader and successes as a researcher will prove invaluable in the role.

“Dr. Mayo’s various leadership roles and vast experience both in our college and across the university make her a perfect choice to guide and grow our research and graduate programs,” Hossfeld said. “We are thrilled to have her in this vitally important role in the college.”

Mayo served as research coordinator and more recently associate chair in Clemson’s public health sciences department. She has led several university-wide groups, serving as chair of the President’s Commission on Women and the University Grievance Board. She has served on numerous statewide boards related to her work in women’s health and currently serves on the national Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee for Young Women with Breast Cancer.

Mayo earned a Ph.D. in health promotion and education from the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health. She earned a master’s degree in microbiology and a bachelor’s degree in natural science from the University of Arkansas.

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