August Community Conversation: University Faculty

Carla Valdez, Ed.D., MPH, MCHES (she/her/ella) has been a lecturer at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in the Department of Health Sciences (Public Health program) since 2007. Additionally, she is an adjunct faculty member at Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) where she teaches Women’s Health. Dr. Valdez has extensive public health education and management experience in both community and clinic-based settings. Prior to leaving the non-profit sector to teach full time, she was the lead Health Educator and Patient Services Staff Trainer at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles (PPLA). Dr. Valdez is a leader within her academic department and university. She was elected to the Faculty Senate in 2020, serves as the chair of the lecturer’s committee for the Department of Health Sciences, is the faculty advisor to a student club and the CSUN Public Health Alumni Chapter, and is a mentor to new faculty members and lecturers. Dr. Valdez is interested in pedagogical leadership and development and her research interests focus on reproductive and sexual health and college/university students. Dr. Valdez is a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA), and the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) where participates on the Ethics Committee. She also serves on the board of directors for a Planned Parenthood affiliate.