Higher education has been a calling and beacon for Amanda Rhodes, associate dean for strategic initiatives and chief of staff for WashU’s Bursky School of Health. Since earning her master’s degree in social work from the Brown School in 2015, her professional career has been rooted in academia. Rhodes started with WashU after graduation and stayed until 2022, where she worked remotely for another university. She returned in 2024 with the hope to make a meaningful impact in her community and to find greater fulfillment and connection in her work. Launching WashU’s Bursky School of Public Health has given her that satisfaction, and more.
“My direct team is responsible for the strategic direction of the Bursky School of Public Health, including continuous improvement, internal and external convenings, and administrative function of the Dean’s Office and school. We are all motivated by the opportunity that comes with starting the first new school at WashU in 100 years. Though this has not been the easiest lift, we all show up each day with the motivation to move the school toward excellence.”
While creating and opening the first new school in a century may have some speeds bumps, Rhodes finds the challenges rewarding and appreciates the connection back to the university’s mission as well as the school’s mission: To promote health and well-being through excellence in interdisciplinary population health science and scholarship, distinction in education, and a deep commitment to local and global impact.
“In my role, the resources, supports and systems I have helped to build and keep running allow our faculty, students and researchers to do their work more efficiently and effectively. As the first hire into the school, I had the opportunity to help onboard leaders across all other parts of our school. Being back at WashU has allowed me to find connection in many parts of my life.”
In her personal time, Rhodes likes to travel, take adventures with her family and spend time with her rescue dogs. She is grateful her extended family also lives in St. Louis so she can explore St. Louis with them, too.