Safiya Omari, Ph.D. has been selected as the third director of the JSU Center for University Scholars. An associate professor of social work and health sciences, Omari is also the director of the Southern Institute for Mental Health Advocacy Research and Training. Recently, she served as chief of staff to Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba. Dr. Omari earned the doctorate in experimental social psychology from Northeastern University. Her current research interests include mental health, effects of gender, race, and culture on health behaviors and psychological well-being, violence against women, and discriminatory stress.
Dr. Omari will focus on expanding the visibility of the Center for University Scholars and its activities and supporting the research interests and teaching performance of JSU faculty.