Melissa J. Perry, ScD, MHS
Dean, College of Public Health
Dr. Perry is internationally respected for her work as an educator, researcher, and administrator. Her research has been well-funded by both federal agencies and foundations. She has published more than 150 manuscripts, technical reports, book chapters, commentaries, and book reviews and is a frequent speaker at professional conferences. Before Mason, Dr. Perry served as a Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health in George Washington University's Milken School of Public Health from 2011-2022. She is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health where she received both her MHS and ScD degrees.
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Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Dr. Robert M. Weiler holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in health and safety education from Marshall University, a Master of Public Health, in community health education from the University of Tennessee, and a Doctor of Philosophy in education with a specialization in school health education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale). Dr. Weiler’s research interests include needs assessment, survey research, program evaluation, school health policies and programs, adolescent health risk behaviors, and substance abuse prevention with emphasis on the nonmedical use of prescription drugs among adolescents and young adults. Dr. Weiler’s research has explored Florida’s school violence policies and programs and the role of school health instruction in preventing violence. He is a founding member of the American Academy of Health Behavior, a member of the American Public Health Association, a member of the Society for Public Health Education, and is a Fellow of the American School Health Association.
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Anthony Piantieri
Chief Business Officer
As the Chief Business Officer for the College of Public Health (CPH), Anthony Piantieri is pivotal in guiding the College's financial and operational strategies toward a future marked by innovation and excellence. Responsible for overseeing all business functions, including financial planning, revenue generation, technology integration, and the development of new ventures, Piantieri plays a crucial role in shaping short- and long-term strategic plans to expand programs and partnerships in alignment with the CPH's mission and vision.
Piantieri’s career in the operations and finance industries spans over two decades, marked by significant tenures in both the private and public sectors.
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Alison Evans Cuellar, PhD, MBA
Interim Associate Dean for Research
Dr. Cuellar, Professor of Health Administration and Policy, has extensive research experience in health care systems, payer innovations, Medicaid policy, mental health, and justice involved populations. A health policy researcher, her contributions include work on evaluating new organizational forms, such as hospital systems and physician alliances and their effects on quality, efficiency, costs, prices, and equity. She is currently engaged in research related to Medicaid perinatal care, equity, and payment. In other work she has examined the intersection of behavioral health and the justice system; Medicaid policies and their impact on justice-involved youth and youth with behavioral health problems; on mental health courts as an innovative alternative for justice-involved juveniles; and on health care services for incarcerated youth and adults returning to the community.
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Kimberly Holmes, PhD
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Dr. Kimberly Holmes is the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, overseeing the functional areas of admissions, academic advising, and student engagement in the college. Throughout her career, Kimberly has been committed to expanding access to higher education and improving outcomes for students from a range of backgrounds. She has specific experience in college student retention initiatives, first year student transitions, academic advising, graduate student programming, assessment, and undergraduate research programs.
Dr. Holmes’ research interests include exploring the experiences of women of color in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and expanding access to higher education for underrepresented groups, including students of color, first-generation college students, and students with financial need.
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Catherine Tompkins, MSW, PhD
Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs
Dr. Tompkins, Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Associate Professor, teaches human behavior, research, and gerontology courses in the Social Work Department. She is interested in developing new programs for undergraduate students and developing innovations in distance education. Dr. Tompkins has been pursuing two research tracks since arriving at Mason: 1) The need for interventions for individuals with dementia and their caregivers and 2) an exploration of the potential caregiving relationship that exists between grandparents and grandchildren residing within grandparent-headed households. She reviews manuscripts for several journals, has affiliations with several state and national organizations, and participates on advisory boards for two community-based agencies.
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Lisa R. Joyner
Executive Director of Administration
Lisa Joyner has worked with the College of Public Health (previously the College of Nursing and Health Science) at George Mason University since 1997. This position plays a crucial leadership role by overseeing the college's administrative functions. Lisa works closely with the Chief Business Officer to enhance organizational efficiency. Lisa is also responsible for ensuring that the college's personnel activities are performed within the state and university's guidelines.
Matthew Hicks, DM
Director of Information Technology and Security
Dr. Matthew Hicks is a highly accomplished Technology and Security Officer with proven ability to lead successful corporate information security and technology operations and facilitate corporate growth through technology-business alignment. He has special expertise in cyber security, solution development, organizational excellence, program management, and process improvement. He holds Doctoral, MBA and multiple certifications, including CISSP, CRISC, CISM, PMP/RMP, and ISSA member, and is adept at directing multi-national teams and administering multi-million dollar budgets, with extensive familiarity with education, software development, transportation, health-care, financial, and technology sectors, and excellent presentation, problem-solving, and technical skills.
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Todd Marrs, MBA
Senior Director, Development
Todd Marrs leads the College's fundraising and advancement initiatives in support of its priorities.
Marrs brings more than 20 years of higher education leadership and fundraising experience from universities in North Carolina, Texas, and Florida. His areas of focus include leadership and stakeholder engagement, major gift strategies, and scaling philanthropy programs.
Todd holds a MBA from The University of Tampa and a BS from the University of Florida.
Michelle L. Thompson, MBA
Director of Marketing and Communications
Ms. Thompson oversees the marketing and communications strategy for the College with particular focus on branding, strategic messaging, and engagement strategy as the College transitions to a college of public health. She has extensive experience leading marketing teams in education-oriented organizations including Hobsons, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Blackboard, and Ellucian. She brings a passion for developing strong teams, lifelong- learning, and increasing access to education. She received a BS in Mass Communication from Boston University and an MBA from The George Washington University with a concentration in Marketing.
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