Leadership changes bring new and familiar faces to the College of Health and Human Services

Leadership changes at UNC Charlotte’s College of Health and Human Services put three University faculty members into interim roles for the 2025-2026 academic year and solidified a permanent position for a fourth. Searches to permanently fill the interim positions will be conducted. 

• Yvette Huet, Ph.D., a longtime University administrator, is serving as interim dean of the College of Health and Human Services.
• Diana Rowan, Ph.D., who previously served as interim director of the School of Social Work, is now the School’s permanent director.
• Kendra Jason, Ph.D., who previously served as sociology professor at the College of Humanities & Earth Social Sciences, now serves as interim chair of the Health Management and Policy unit.
• Sandra Dika, Ph.D., who previously served as professor of educational leadership at the Cato College of Education, now serves as interim chair of the Epidemiology and Community Health unit.

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Yvette Huet

Huet, who most recently served as interim chair of the College’s Epidemiology and Community Health unit, joined the University in 1991 and during her tenure has served a variety of leadership roles, including executive director of the Center for ADVANCing Faculty Success, interim co-vice chancellor for the Office of Research and Economic Development, director of the Health Services Research Doctoral Program, interim chair of the Applied Physiology, Health and Clinical Sciences unit, and manager of the UNC Charlotte Vivarium. Huet completed a Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Kansas Medical Center and undergraduate degrees in microbiology and human biology from the University of Kansas. 

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Diana Rowan

A former commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, Rowan has been with UNC Charlotte’s School of Social Work for the past 18 years. She started as an instructor in the unit and through multiple promotions became interim director for two years before her being appointed director in July. She previously worked at Union University, University of Memphis and Jackson State College and is a licensed social work clinician. Rowan was the principal investigator on a $1.1 million research study funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Minority AIDS Research Initiative and has published numerous peer-reviewed research articles on HIV in disproportionately impacted communities. She is the author of the textbook “Social Work with HIV and AIDS: A Case-based Guide.” Rowan completed a Ph.D. in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington.

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Kendra Jason

Jason joined the University 13 years ago as a lecturer and academic advisor in the Sociology department. She held various positions during her tenure, including associate professor of sociology, inaugural race and social justice advocate for the former College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (now College of Humanities & Earth Social Sciences) and executive fellow of strategic initiatives in the defunct Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She has a particular interest in older workers and how their intersectional experiences influence their workability, health and well-being. Her work has been featured at the National Academy of Sciences and various media outlets. She is the editor of the book “Race and Social Justice: Building and Inclusive College through Awareness, Advocacy, and Action.” Jason completed a Ph.D. in sociology from North Carolina State University.

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Sandra Dika

Dika has served in a tenure-track appointment in the Educational Leadership department since 2010, and directed the Ph.D. in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation program for seven years. Prior to UNC Charlotte, she held research and evaluation positions at the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez, Virginia Tech and Brown University. Dika’s research focuses on college access, student success and equity for historically underserved and minoritized populations. She has published more than 75 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and proceedings papers, and has led research funded by the Spencer Foundation, National Science Foundation, and the John M. Belk Endowment. Her co-authored textbook “Research Methods for Education, Second Edition” will be available in January 2026. Dika completed a Ph.D. in educational research and evaluation from Virginia Tech.