Dr. Melissa Haithcox-Dennis
Associate Professor
Melissa Haithcox-Dennis, "Dr. H-D" has over 25 years of experience working to better the lives of others. Whether in the classroom, on campus, or in the community, she always greets others with a smile and seeks to lift them up. Having served in both urban and rural environments, Dr. H-D has more than 20 years of college-level, public health teaching and extensive experience working with community health coalitions and non-profit organizations. Areas of expertise include HIV Prevention, Coalition and Community Organizing, Program Planning and Evaluation, and Technology.
She earned her B.S. in Biology from North Carolina Central University, a M.A. in Health Education from Montclair State University and a Ph.D. in Health Education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She is also a Master Certified Health Education Specialist.
The core of my research focuses on the professional preparation of health education specialists in diverse practice settings, with an emphasis on integrating technology in public and community health, exploring religion as a social determinant of health, and community organizing for health.
Peer Reviewed Publications
Haithcox-Dennis, M. J., & Johnson, R. (2025). Preparing the next generation of health education teachers in the ethical use of AI. Journal of Research Initiatives, 11(1), 22–34.
Haithcox-Dennis, M. J., Bennett, T., Bullard, D. L., & James, M. (2025). From marketplace to classroom: The quality of health education lessons on Teachers Pay Teachers. Journal on School Educational Technology, 21(3), 78–90.
Haithcox-Dennis, MJ. 2018. Reject, correct, redirect: using web annotation to combat fake healthinformation-A Commentary. American Journal of Health Education. 49: 206-209.
Haithcox-Dennis, MJ. DeWeese, AM. Goodman, J. 2013. Rethinking the factors of success: Socialsupport and coalitions. American Journal of Health Education. 44:110-118.
Richman, AR., Haithcox-Dennis, M., & Allsbrook, A. 2012. Feasibility of a catch-up HPV vaccination program among college students attending a large rural university in the south. American Journal of Sexuality Education. 7: 237-252.
Burke, SC. Kimuna, SR., Haithcox-Dennis, MJ. & Anderson, T. 2012. Applying global HIV prevention strategies to the U.S. long-haul trucker population. International Electronic Journal of Health Education. 15:145-154.
Haithcox-Dennis, MJ. Brinkley, J. Richman, AR. DeWeese, AM., & Byrd, J. 2012. Mhealth on campus: assessing undergraduates' attitudes and utilization of mobile health applications. International Electronic Journal of Health Education. 15:134-144.
Whitney, EA., Visker, J., Haithcox-Dennis, MJ., & DeWeese, AM. 2012. Independently living rural seniors and emergency preparedness: a pilot study in southern Illinois. The Health Educator. 441, 1-7.
Haithcox-Dennis MJ. 2011 Foursquare: A health education specialist checks-in- A commentary. American Journal of Health Education. 42:4, 194-196.
Haithcox-Dennis MJ. 2011 Slap What? -An interactive lesson in non-verbal communication. Journal of School Health Education. 8111, 721-725.
Haithcox MJ. & Winfield-Nix SL. 2008. Tried & true, and technology too. Health Education Monograph Series. 25:1 35-38.
Invited Publication
Hardy, A. & Haithcox-Dennis, MJ. (2017) Improving health outcomes in a rural community:roanoke valley community health initiative. NC Journal of Medicine 78:4 2-5.
Peer Reviewed Presentations
Haithcox-Dennis, M. J., & Johnson, R. (2025, February). My AI life. Presentation at the UNC Minority Health Conference, Chapel Hill, NC.
Bonilla, J., & Haithcox-Dennis, M. J. (2025, January). Addressing barriers to community engagement in outdoor air quality monitoring. Presentation at the NC Black Alliance Grounded in Justice Summit, Rocky Mount, NC.
Bennett, T., Haithcox-Dennis, M. J., Bullard, D., & James, M. (2025, April). Assessing the quality of health education resources on Teachers Pay Teachers—poster presented at the 4th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC.
Haithcox-Dennis, M. J., & James, M. (2024, November). Faithful advocacy: Championing interfaith collaboration for increased health equity. Presentation at the SOPHE Advocacy Summit, Washington, DC.
Lopez, J., & Haithcox-Dennis, M. J. (2024, April). Barriers to implementing undergraduate public health research at MSIs. Poster presented at the 3rd Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC.
Haithcox-Dennis, MJ., Hardy, A., Odom, EB., & Terry-Rawlins, C. 2018. Get fit, stay fit roanoke valley! reducing early childhood obesity. Accepted for presentation at the 2018 National Smart Start Conference, Greensboro, NC.
Haithcox-Dennis, MJ. & Hardy, A. 2018. Collaborating to address the social determinants of childhood obesity in the roanoke valley. Poster Presentation at the 14th Annual Jean Mills Symposium, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
Haithcox-Dennis, MJ. & Hardy, A. 2017. The Roanoke valley healthy family BINGO challenge: A pilot study. Poster Presentation at the 2017 NC SOPHE Annual Meeting, Wilmington, NC.
Haithcox-Dennis, MJ., Mulcahy, KL, & Ayscue, E. 2011. Visualizing HIV care in North Carolina. Presented at the 2011 United States Conference on AIDS USCA Chicago, IL.
Haithcox-Dennis, MJ. & Winfield-Nix, SL. 2011. Enhancing asset mapping with Google Earth. Electronic presentation at the 2011 American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance AAHPERD National Convention and Exposition, San Diego, CA.
Haithcox-Dennis, MJ. & Wallen M. 2011. Current and emerging technology for the school-based health educator. Workshop presented presentation at the 2011 Southern District American Alliance of Health Education Recreation and Dance Conference, Greensboro, NC.
Haithcox-Dennis, MJ. & Welshimer, K. 2010. Social support experiences of HIV positive HIV/AIDS coalition participants: A grounded theory approach. Presentation at the Society for Public Health Education SOPHE Annual Conference, Denver, CO.
Welshimer, KJ., Coleman, K. Haithcox, MJ. & Iwuagwu, S. 2010. From graduation to tenure: navigating the process in health education. Presentation at the 2010 American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance AAHPERD National Convention and Exposition, Indianapolis, IN.
Winfield-Nix SL. & Haithcox, MJ. 2009. Health educator’s technology toolbox: beginners and advanced. Pre-conference workshop presented at the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance AAHPERD National Convention and Exposition, Tampa, FL.
Haithcox, MJ. & Winfield-Nix SL. 2008. Slap what? An interactive lesson in nonverbal communication. Oral presentation at the American School Health Association National Convention, Tampa, FL.
Winfield-Nix SL. & Haithcox MJ. 2008. Piloting pod/webcasts for drug and alcohol prevention. Oral presentation at the Society for Public Health Education Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Haithcox MJ. & Winfield-Nix SL. 2008. Health educator’s technology toolbox. Oral presentation at the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance AAHPERD National Convention and Exposition, Ft. Worth, TX.
Haithcox MJ. & Winfield-Nix SL. 2008. 6D in 3D: Six dimensions of health in three dimensions. Electronic presentation at the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance AAHPERD National Convention and Exposition, Ft. Worth, TX.
Haithcox MJ. 2007. Ready or not: An emergency preparedness needs assessment of senior citizens living independently in Southern Illinois. Oral presentation at the National Association of County & City Health Officials NACCHO Public Health Preparedness Summit, Washington, DC.
Haithcox MJ. & Falkenburry K. 2007. Back to the future: An interactive presentation on the history of health education 1921-1935. Electronic presentation at the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance AAHPERD National Convention and Exposition, Baltimore, MD.
2025–2027 Faith Forward: Integrating Religious Pluralism, Advancing Health Equity: Interfaith America – $60,000
2025–2026 Environmental Health Justice Grant: NC Black Alliance – $10,000
2023–2024 Health Equity Undergraduate Research Study: NC Collaboratory – $50,000.
2023–2024 Interfaith Action for Health Course Revision Project: Fayetteville State University – $4,000
2022 The Starbucks Foundation Neighborhood Grant, $7,000
2022 PLWHA Mobile Medical Case Management, Ryan White/NCDHHS, $48,000
2021 City of Raleigh Diversity and Equity American Rescue Plan COVID-19 Grant, $45,000
2021 Integrated Targeted Testing Services. CDC/NCDHHS (2022-25), $216,448
2021 Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS (HOPWA) HUD/NCDHHS, $193,000
2021 Town of Carrboro Affordable Housing Revenue Fund, Town of Carrboro, NC, $20,000
2021 ViiV Healthcare General Operation Expenses Grant, $50,000
2020 Town of Carrboro Affordable Housing Revenue Fund, Town of Carrboro, NC, $45,500
2020 PLWHA Medical Nutrition Therapy/Pantry Services, Ryan White/NCDHHS, $13,500
2020 ViiV Healthcare COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant, $11,000
2020 SPARK PLWH Telehealth Integration Grant Gilead Compass Initiative, $22,000
2020 POWER Social Medial Enhancement Grant, Gilead Compass Initiative, $9,000
2020 Health and Wellness for Raleigh Residents, City of Raleigh, Human Relations, $5,000
2019 ViiV Healthcare General Operation Expenses Grant, $30,000
2019 PLWHA Medical Nutrition Therapy/Pantry Services, Ryan White/NCDHHS, $10,500
2019 Integrated Targeted Testing Services. CDC/NCDHHS (renewal), $184,000
2019 CLEAR! Prevention with Positives Grant, CDC/NCDHHS. (renewal), $94,000
2019 Substance Abuse Centers HIV Testing, SAMSHA/NCDHSS (renewal), $111,000
2019 KeepItUp! Mobile-based HIV Prevention Pilot, PI. NIH/Northwestern University, $40,000
2019 Nourishment and Encouragement Seed Grant, Crape Myrtle Festival, $10,000
2019 Komen NCTC, Community Grant (Halifax, Northampton, Warren Counties), $30,000
2018 Fayetteville State University Behavioral Health Initiative, PI. UNC System, $28,184
Society for Public Health Education, Inc.