Dr. Tonya S. Roberson is the Director of Community Engagement, Program Development and Academic Support at Governors State University in the College of Health and Human Services. She has over fifteen years of biobehavioral and social sciences research experience with extensive recruitment and selection capability experience. This experience is backed by twenty- five years of clinical nutrition/food service systems management experience which was acquired in large academic medical centers, healthcare organizations and community-based settings. Dr. Roberson is a Governors State University Alumni, she earned her master’s degree in public health at DePaul University and a doctoral degree in Community Psychology from National Louis University.
Dr. Roberson has diverse experiences in health care leadership roles as a nutrition manager, research administrator, community organizer, and educator. Dr. Roberson has a particular expertise in methods to address health inequalities, health promotion theories, and models to assess the holistic health of African Americans in the urban centers. She has done extensive community work in the region and explores field opportunities with various community organizations for GSU students.
Dr. Roberson is well connected and trusted in the Chicagoland communities and serves in many leadership roles increasing awareness about various research initiatives with successful implementation. She focuses on health education and disease prevention strategies to promote improving the quality-of-care and quality-of-life of persons coping with a life-threatening illness. Dr. Roberson has a profound passion for nutrition and its relationship to health and chronic disease. Dr. Roberson strongly believes that education is “key” because it gives a person option and helps them to make informed decisions. She is committed to giving generously of her time and talents through her community organizing efforts and outreach work to encourage self-advocacy and educate audiences about the importance of making healthier lifestyle choices to maintain a quality life.
Dr. Roberson is the Past Chair of the Community Based Public Health Caucus for the American Public Health Association and currently the Health and Mental Wellness Committee Chair of the Far South Chicago Coalition’s Quality of Life Plan and Content producer and host of the Far South Chicago Coalition’s Health and Mental Wellness Committee’s Friday Health Talk of the week Facebook Live. She is also the President of the National Community Based Organization Network (NCBON) and an active member of the Person-Driven Outcome Measures That Matter Advisory Panel.
