Kimberly Enard Named Interim Dean of the College for Public Health and Social Justice
ST. LOUIS (Aug. 5, 2026) — Kimberly Enard, Ph.D., has been named interim dean of Saint Louis University’s College for Public Health and Social Justice, effective Sept. 1, 2026.
Enard currently serves as chair of the Department of Health Management and Policy and holds the James R. Kimmey Endowed Chair in Public Health.
“Dr. Enard’s leadership experience, distinguished record of scholarship and deep commitment to the College for Public Health and Social Justice make her exceptionally well prepared to serve in this role,” said Kathy Johnson, Ph.D., SLU’s executive vice president and provost. “I am grateful for her willingness to step into this leadership position and continue advancing the college’s mission.”
Enard joined SLU in 2014 as an assistant professor. She has taught primarily in the Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.) and Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) programs and was promoted to full professor in 2025.
An expert in healthcare management, financing, quality improvement and policy, Enard has served as principal investigator or co-investigator on nearly 20 externally funded research projects. She has also authored or co-authored dozens of peer-reviewed publications and presented her work at national conferences.
Enard said she is “deeply honored and humbled" by the opportunity to serve as interim dean of the college during a pivotal time.
“While higher education and public health continue to face significant challenges, I also see tremendous opportunities ahead to strengthen our impact through innovation, collaboration, and commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve," Enard said. “I look forward to working alongside our exceptional faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners to address the pressing issues before us.”
Before joining SLU, Enard held leadership and administrative positions at health care organizations in Houston, the Los Angeles area and Atlanta.
Enard succeeds Leslie McClure, Ph.D., who announced her intention to step down as dean in July. McClure has served as dean since November 2023 and will return to the faculty of the college in the fall.
“I want to thank Dr. McClure for serving as dean for the past three years,” Johnson said. "She oversaw many successes in the college, including achieving one of the strongest retention rates at SLU, improving rankings both at the school and program level, and extending the college's reach as a research and community partner.”
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.