Thursday, September 26, 2019

Katrin Wesner-Harts '16, director of UNCW’s Abrons Student Health Center, has been elected 2019-20 president of the American College Health Association.
 
For nearly a century, ACHA has served as the voice for student health and wellness, advocating for issues that impact the health and wellness of the nation’s college students. Representing more than 1,100 institutions of higher education, the organization serves as a resource for professional development and efforts toward creating a culture of wellness on college campuses.
 
“The opportunities that I have been afforded through continuing education and as a volunteer leader have helped shape the professional I am today,” said Wesner. “I am humbled by the opportunity to give back to the field of college health and serve as president when conversations about health and well-being are so present on campuses across the country.”
 
A member of ACHA since 1995, Wesner-Harts recently served as a member-at-large on its board of directors. A past president of the Southern College Health Association, UNCW hosted their annual conference under her tenure. Prior to joining UNCW in 2007, she spent 18 years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where she served as associate director of the Student Health Center.
 
“I’m extremely proud of Katrin’s commitment to leadership at the national level and the honor this brings not only to UNCW but to North Carolina, particularly as the ACHA celebrates its hundredth anniversary,” said Brian Victor, associate vice chancellor for student affairs.

Wesner holds a bachelor’s from Carnegie Mellon University; a master’s from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; a graduate certificate in Health Systems Administration from Union Graduate College; and an Ed.D. from UNCW. Her dissertation focused on emergency preparedness as it relates to medical emergencies, active shooter situations and natural disasters. Her research expertise includes emergency preparedness and response and transgender student success. 
 
-- Caroline Cropp

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