Executive Vice Provost, UNC-Chapel Hill

In addition to his responsibility as the Executive Vice Provost at UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr. Ron Strauss was Chief International Officer for the University for nearly a decade. For 12 years, he was Chair of the Department of Dental Ecology in the UNC Adams School of Dentistry. Ron received his D.M.D. degree and Ph.D. in Sociology from University of Pennsylvania, and B.A. in Biology from Queens College, New York. Under his leadership as the Chief International Officer, UNC-Chapel Hill became one of the leading global public research universities in the world. During his tenure as the Chief International Officer, Ron forged strategic partnerships with academic institutions and governments in all continents, enhanced international research collaborations by UNC faculty in many fields, and promoted global experiences for students. Ron is a sociologist and ethnographer who has used qualitative and survey research methods in numerous social research projects. Ron’s research has focused on the social impacts of chronic health problems, especially oral/craniofacial differences and HIV/AIDS. His work combines his clinical, social science, ethical, and health policy interests as they relate to craniofacial care, research participation, HIV/AIDS, stigma, prenatal diagnosis, and access to healthcare. Throughout his tenure at Carolina, Ron has been extremely active in public service and engagement, both locally and globally. Since he came to Carolina, Ron has been engaged in encouraging health professional students to understand and address social factors that influence health and the provision of healthcare. He is the lead faculty member of the Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars Program of the Carolina Center for Public Service. In recognition of the scope and impact of his work, dental alumni endowed the Dr. Ronald P. Strauss Community and International Health Award to support students’ understanding of the social and cultural influences on health care. Each spring since 1987, Ron has directed and taught the campus-wide HIV/AIDS Course. Ron is a co-editor of the two volume series, The Social Medicine Reader, 3rd edition (2019, Duke University Press). He has been a keynote speaker and trainer, especially for the E.U.’s European Cleft and Craniofacial Initiative for Equality in Care (ECCE). Ron served as President of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and received both its Distinguished Service Award and the Honors of the Association.

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