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The College for Public Health and Social Justice Relocates to Renovated Space in Wool Center

by Benjamen Loewnau on 01/16/2025

01/16/2025

On Jan. 13, the College for Public Health and Social Justice successfully welcomed students on the first day of class to their new home on the second floor of the Marvin and Harlene Wool Center.

The lobby off the elevator on the second floor of Wool is a unique student lounge and study space.
The lobby off the elevator on the second floor of Wool is a unique student lounge and study space.
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A hallway equipped with floor-to-ceiling glass runs the distance of the second floor and provides a wide walking space with natural lighting for students.
A hallway equipped with floor-to-ceiling glass runs the distance of the second floor and provides a wide walking space with natural lighting for students.
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Dean Leslie McClure, Ph.D. talks with students during an event on the first day of classes in the second floor of the Wool Center.
Dean Leslie McClure, Ph.D. talks with students during an event on the first day of classes in the second floor of the Wool Center.
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The Wool Center's second floor has many classrooms with large glass walls.
The Wool Center's second floor has many classrooms with large glass walls.
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Instructor Sam Biver teaches a full classroom on the first day of class in Room 294 on the second floor of the Wool Center.
Instructor Sam Biver teaches a full classroom on the first day of class in Room 294 on the second floor of the Wool Center.
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As seen from the outside of the classroom, instructor Sam Biver instructs his class during the first day of the semester.
As seen from the outside of the classroom, instructor Sam Biver instructs his class during the first day of the semester.
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The SLU logo can be seen down a long hallway with angled and sitting arrangements.
The SLU logo can be seen down a long hallway with angled and sitting arrangements.
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The longest hallway on the second floor of the Wool Center fills with students in between classes and is a gathering space for students.
The longest hallway on the second floor of the Wool Center fills with students in between classes and is a gathering space for students.
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Dean Leslie McClure, Ph.D. takes a selfie with a student on the first day of class during the 'Donuts with the Dean' event in the Wool Center.
Dean Leslie McClure, Ph.D. takes a selfie with a student on the first day of class during the 'Donuts with the Dean' event in the Wool Center.
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The first class of the semester for students takes place in a classroom in the second floor of the Wool Center.
The first class of the semester for students takes place in a classroom in the second floor of the Wool Center.
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The move to the Wool Center comes after decades of calling the Salus Center, and the south campus of Saint Louis University home. Now, 613 students from 35 states and 23 countries have a new home at SLU.

The second floor of the Wool Center, on the northeast corner of Grand and Lindell boulevards is a freshly renovated space thanks to a grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) that provides a new community for all undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. students in CPHSJ. 

“It is incredible to have everyone — students, staff, and faculty — all in one place. The energy in the Wool Center is amazing! I'm so happy to have our college all together and excited for the ways we can build a stronger community,” said College for Public Health and Social Justice Dean Leslie McClure, Ph.D.

The work to bring CPHSJ together to North Campus began more than three years ago under the direction of SLU leadership, the Office of the Provost, and then CPHSJ interim Dean Ellen K. Barnidge, Ph.D. With direction and assistance from many stakeholders and an architecture firm, the work of designing a space for all was a thorough process. 

In accordance with additional leadership and efforts from CPHSJ staff members Mary Dant and Nicole Lyon, with Dean McClure, the space was officially opened following the move from the Salus Center in December.

The move, completed on Dec. 20, took five moving trucks, four days, 390 moving boxes packed by faculty and staff, and a year’s worth of purging Salus of decades-old storage.

Now, for the first time in decades, all CPHSJ are together, providing exponential chances for collaboration and fellowship in the CPHSJ student community.

In addition to the student body, the space houses all 37 faculty and 13 staff in the college. 

The college’s various undergraduate and graduate offerings for students across public health, health administration, health analytics, post-baccalaureate certificates, and its centers, institutes and offices are now under one roof. This will allow faculty and staff to be able to provide the most care and effort needed to ensure the best possible student experience for everyone. 

Large glass windows throughout the exterior and interior of the floor allow for increased visibility allowing for an open, inviting feeling throughout every corner of the space. Interior glasswork also allows a welcoming environment where faculty and staff can be seen and accessible to student needs. 

The new space also includes:

College for Public Health and Social Justice

The Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice is the only academic unit of its kind, studying social, environmental and physical influences that together determine the health and well-being of people and communities. It also is the only accredited school or college of public health among nearly 250 Catholic institutions of higher education in the United States. Guided by a mission of social justice and focus on finding innovative and collaborative solutions for complex health problems, the college offers nationally recognized programs in public health and health administration.