Kathy Rovito, DrPH, MPH, CHES, CIC
Lecturer of Public Health and Director
As Director of the BA in Public Health and Health Leadership program, I teach and mentor students in leadership, social impact, program design and evaluation, communication, and health behavior. My work as a social health researcher and health educator explores how systems, relationships, and social connection shape wellbeing, with a particular focus on mental, social, and spiritual health among men and boys. Using mixed methods and a systems thinking approach, I examine how connection can support prevention and healing. Outside the classroom, I engage in community work and applied research in Central Florida, leading The Male Wellness Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of men and boys through research, storytelling, and spaces for connection. I also serve on the Research and Grants team for 100 Women Strong, a philanthropic giving circle addressing the root causes of challenges facing women and children in our region.
Education
BS, University of Central Florida
MPH, Boston University
DrPH, Loma Linda University
Certifications
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)庐 (#21760)
Certified Intrinsic Coach (CIC)庐
Courses Taught
Undergraduate
Introduction to Community Health (CMH 210)
Data, Decisions, and Social Impact (PHS 210)
Systems and Social Drivers of Health (PHS 230)
Practical Assessments in Community Health (PHS 315)
Health Program Planning (PHS 330)
Methods and Materials in Health Education (PHS 340)
Health Behavior Theories (PHS 350)
Grant Writing & Resource Development (PHS 450)
Epidemiology of Chronic Disease (HSC 4501)
Introduction to Research I & II (IDS 1911 & IDS 2912)
Strategies for Success in College (SLS 1501)
Graduate
Applied Practice Experience/Practicum (MPH 560)
Public Health Communication (MPH 565)
Leadership & Advocacy (MPH 610)
Health Behavior and Education (MPH 625)
Program Development & Evaluation (MPH 635)
Leadership and Service
Board Member, Community Health Centers, Inc.
Board Member, Valencia College Health Navigator Advisory Board
Researcher, Ginsburg Institute for Health Equity
Steering Committee Member, Thrive Roadmap, Central Florida Foundation
Research & Grants Impact Lead, 100 Women Strong
Stakeholder, Florida Food is Medicine Regional Council (Region E)
Member, Florida Healthy Youth Alliance
Judge, UCF Health Sciences Research Symposium
Co-Founder & CEO, The Male Wellness Collective
Recent Publications
Rovito, M. J., Leone, J. E., Rovito, K. E., Rodriguez-Grisales, P., Gonzalez, I., Johnson, F., and Shattuck, D. (2026). Reconstructing Men's Health Through Rousseau's Social Contract: A Philosophical Framework for Structural Public Health Reform. International Journal of Men鈥檚 Social and Community Health. In press.
Rovito, K. E., Herring, R. P., Beeson, W. L., Gamboa-Maldonado, T., and Lee, J. W. (2023). Social-Ecological Correlates of Loneliness Among Young Adult U.S. Males. Health Promotion Practice, 24(5), 852-862. Link:
Rovito, K. E., Herring, R. P., Beeson, W. L., Gamboa-Maldonado, T., and Lee, J. W. (2022). Social-Ecological Correlates of Social Isolation as a Structural Indicator of Social Connectedness Among Young Adult U.S. Males. American Journal of Health Promotion, 36(8), 1284-1295. Link:
News & Features
March 31, 2025
91福利社 Inducts 24 New Members of Phi Beta Kappa
A select group of 91福利社 students has joined the nation鈥檚 most prestigious academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, placing them among the top 1 percent of college scholars in the U.S.
March 21, 2025
91福利社 Museum of Art Collaborates with Hume House Child Development Center
David Matteson, an associate curator of education for 91福利社 Museum of Art, and Alice Davidson, executive director of 91福利社 Child Development Center and a professor of Psychology, were interviewed on Central Florida Public Media's Engage about the Symbolic Languages Exhibit. (at 39:01)
October 11, 2024
Psychology Professor Provides Expertise on Children Developing a Love for Reading
Alice Davidson, a psychology professor and Director of the Hume House College Child Development and Student Research Center, provided expert commentary to Parents.com on teaching your child to develop a love for reading.
December 13, 2023
Psychology Professor Shares Research on Gentle Parenting in New York Magazine
Alice Davidson, a professor of psychology, shared her research on "gentle parenting" with New York Magazine's -The Cut.
May 11, 2022
A Professor of Psychology Addresses Social-Emotional Learning
Alice Davidson, a professor of psychology, discusses social-emotional learning and the Florida Department of Education鈥檚 review of math textbooks.
April 21, 2022
Psychology Professor Provides Commentary on Social Emotional Learning
Psychology professor Alice Davidson discusses Florida鈥檚 ban on math textbooks that promote social emotional learning.