Sam Biver, MPH Joins Saint Louis University in the Department of Behavioral Science and Health Equity
The Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice has named Sam Biver, MPH as a non-tenure track instructor in the Department of Behavioral Science and Health Equity.
Biver brings to the College for Public Health and Social Justice both teaching experience and practical research application in workplace health promotion, opioid abuse in the construction industry, and physical activity promotion.
Prior to joining SLU as an instructor, Biver held a position teaching physical education and health education after earning his bachelor’s degree in physical education from South Illinois University-Carbondale. While he explored a bigger path into graduate education, Biver refined his instructional skill set as a PE teacher and coach at a high school in central Illinois.
“As I was exploring graduate programs, I came across public health and behavioral science. It seemed like a great fit for what I was looking for,” he said. “I found the opportunity to complete my MPH at SLU. I felt like it would be a great opportunity to enhance my skills as a high school health and PE teacher as well as broaden my skill set.”
Concurrently, Biver started his relationship with SLU and completed his Master of Public Health in Behavioral Science and Health Education. Shortly after, he worked for a non-profit called CHADS Coalition for Mental Health as a program manager for their Bullying Prevention Program in K-12 schools. He then found an opportunity at Washington University-St. Louis in public health and occupational health research.
He has since worked as a senior public health research coordinator, coordinating projects to develop employer guidelines to prevent and reduce opioid misuse in the construction industry. He’s also worked as an adjunct instructor, including the development of a health and exercise psychology course at Maryville University and a data visualization course at Washington University-St. Louis.
His professional and academic research and teaching interests include teaching and learning, mental health, physical activity, and opioid abuse in the construction industry. However, most of his professional interests have been largely influenced by the institutions he has worked with but maintains a consistent interest in physical activity promotion.
Through his experiences, one of the major lessons that Biver credits to his success includes being open to opportunities.
“Recognize what you enjoy, what energizes and motivates you, and what excites you. Put energy and attention into those things. Seek out and be open to opportunities to learn and enhance your skills related to the type of work you want to do,” he said.
College for Public Health and Social Justice
The Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice is the only academic unit of its kind, studying social, environmental and physical influences that together determine the health and well-being of people and communities. It also is the only accredited school or college of public health among nearly 250 Catholic institutions of higher education in the United States. Guided by a mission of social justice and focus on finding innovative and collaborative solutions for complex health problems, the college offers nationally recognized programs in public health and health administration.