Vanessa B. Sheppard, Ph.D.

Vanessa B. Sheppard, Ph.D., was named dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences/Institute of Public Health and assistant vice president for health science enterprise and research innovation at Florida A&M University. Dr. Sheppard comes to her new role from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she was an endowed professor and founding dean of the School of Public Health. 

She served in several other roles at VCU, including associate vice president for population and public health strategic initiatives. Her research centers on cancer prevention, survivorship, medication adherence, health disparities, and community-engaged translational science.

Dr. Sheppard is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in public administration and political science. She holds a master’s degree in sociology and urban affairs from Norfolk State University and a Ph.D. in health services research from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.