For alum Brandon Censon, his early work in health care practice and community settings sparked a lasting commitment to public health and shaped the trajectory of his work.
鈥淚 could see how much a person鈥檚 health is shaped by factors outside of the clinic like housing, access to care and structural barriers,鈥 he said.
Those experiences Censon said made him curious about prevention and education and how systems can be designed to better serve entire communities.
鈥淲hat interested me most about public health is how thoughtful policy, education and community partnerships can improve health outcomes long before someone becomes a patient,鈥 he said.
He said what especially drew his interest was the way public health centered itself around equity. 鈥淚t is vital to recognize that social and structural conditions play a major role in who gets sick, who gets care and who thrives,鈥 he said.
This kind of thought process Censon said can shift health care from reacting to illnesses into building healthier communities, strengthening the workforce and ensuring people have real opportunities to live well.
Brandon Censon鈥檚 passion (right) is expanding access, advancing health equity and preparing future practitioners to serve diverse communities with skill and compassion. (Photo courtesy of Censon)
His first public health career experience came in 2012 where he served as coordinator for the AgeWell Institute at Baptist Health.
鈥淚n that role I focused on professional and community health education related to aging,鈥 Censon said. 鈥淚 worked closely with clinicians, community organizations and older adults to design and deliver programs on healthy aging, chronic disease management and preventive care.鈥
Censon said that experience gave him an early, practical view of how education, access and community partnerships can shape health outcomes, which would later lead him into health professions education.
鈥淭hat role sparked my long-term interest in public health workforce development and in creating learning environments that empower both professionals and community members to make informed health decisions.鈥
When it was time to decide where he would study, Censon said he chose the COPH because the online public health program was appealing to him.
鈥淎t that time, I was working full-time in a very busy level two trauma center and online learning was the best modality for me and my educational journey,鈥 he said.
Censon graduated from the COPH in 2016 with his
鈥淭he COPH is great because it brings together rigorous scholarship, community-engaged practice and a strong commitment to creating a space where ideas translate into real-world impact for the populations we serve.鈥
Two years after graduation, Censon began his role as a full-time tenured community health professor at Tacoma Community College.
鈥淭hat role provided me the opportunity to focus on preparing future practitioners and building programs that strengthened the health care workforce while advancing equity and community well-being,鈥 he said.
Censon added that he was able to focus on curriculum development, accreditation and faculty mentoring during his time as well.
In his current role, Censon serves as the dean of health care at Tacoma Community College, where he oversees a range of allied health and nursing programs.
Brandon Censon (front and center) currently serves as the dean of health care at Tacoma Community College, where he oversees a range of allied health and nursing programs. (Photo courtesy of Censon)
鈥淢y role includes academic leadership, faculty supervision and development, accreditation oversight, budget and resource planning, curriculum development and strengthening clinical and community partnerships,鈥 Censon said. 鈥淚 also work closely with campus leaders to expand workforce pathways, support student success and ensure our programs remain aligned with community health needs.鈥
What attracted him most to his current position was the opportunity to influence health care education in meaningful ways, and over time Censon said that work has helped to shape how care is delivered across communities.
鈥淲orking in a community college setting allows me to focus on building strong, equitable pathways into health care careers, supporting faculty innovation and ensuring programs respond to real workforce needs,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 am very motivated by the idea that preparing thoughtful, well-trained and compassionate clinicians today can create generational change in health care systems and improve access and outcomes for patients long into the future.鈥
Looking to the future, Censon said he expects to complete his EdD in higher education leadership by summer of 2027 and plans to continue to grow with his institution while helping to lead meaningful, mission-driven change in higher education.
鈥淚鈥檓 interested in using research and evidence-informed practice to strengthen equity in health care education, improve student outcomes and support faculty development.鈥
As he moves forward, Censon said he hopes to remain deeply engaged in shaping innovative academic programs, expanding workforce pathways and advancing institutional strategies that respond to community needs and create lasting impact.
Fast Five
What did you dream of becoming when you were young?
A teacher! Little did I know, I was going to be a tenured college professor and now an academic administrator.
Where would we find you on the weekend?
For the next 16-months, in my home office with my nose buried in the books and writing for my doctoral program. Otherwise, on an outdoor adventure with my incredible husband and 8-year-old daughter!
What is the last book you read?
鈥淪trong Ground鈥 by Brene鈥 Brown.
What superpower would you like to have?
I would want the ability to instantly understand every language鈥攕poken, written and cultural.
What鈥檚 your all-time favorite movie?
Hands down鈥 WICKED! I could not pick part one or part two, both are so good!