Meet Our Faculty
Experienced, Connected, and Supportive Instruction
Public Health faculty at COCC are leaders in their field who provide students with industry insights, hands-on learning opportunities, and knowledgeable advising. View the Health and Human Performance directory for a full listing of faculty and staff.
Faculty Profiles
Sarah Baron
Assistant Professor
Email: sbaron@cocc.edu
With more than 30 years in public health and education, Sarah is a passionate advocate for her chosen field. "Public health is such a dynamic field, with an almost unlimited number of career opportunities," she says. "One of my favorite parts of my job is helping students uncover all of the possibilities to make a difference in improving the health of communities."
After completing her bachelor's degree in Latin American studies with a focus on public health and a minor in Spanish, Sarah started her career as a K-12 teacher in a rural community. She returned to her alma mater, Tulane University, to obtain her master's degree in public health in health promotion. Later, she completed her doctorate in educational leadership from Fresno State University, California.
In addition to teaching in the K-12 education setting, Sarah has worked in grant development, evaluation of program and school community partnerships, as well as in regional and state initiatives. She worked in community health outreach with a focus on lead-poisoning prevention and childhood wellness programs at a local health department.
Sarah's work centers on strengthening the public health education and workforce pipeline by focusing on community needs and working closely with community-based organizations and public health partners. She is currently serving as a Traditional Health Worker Commissioner with the Oregon Health Authority supporting workforce development opportunities.
Jenny Cruickshank
Associate Professor of Health and Human Performance
Email: jcruickshank@cocc.edu
Jenny joined COCC in 2004 and has brought a personal mix of positivity and motivation to her classes. She teaches Sports Psychology, Wellness Coaching, Exercise Science, and the very popular Total Fitness and Staff Wellness programs. Jenny is a longtime advocate of public health issues in the community and also teaches classes in the Community Health Worker and Peer Support Specialist areas.
Jenny’s classes don't shy from demanding every effort; her sprint sessions up College Way are the same. But her teaching is always delivered with passion and guidance, with a focus on self-acceptance. Along the way, Jenny has pushed herself, too — completing her master's degree in sport psychology and becoming a Nationally Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She is a recipient of COCC's Faculty Achievement Award, an honor that recognizes the full-time faculty member who best embodies the highest standards of COCC, where student learning is the mission.
Owen Murphy
Associate Professor
Email: omurphy@cocc.edu
Owen teaches a variety of Public Health courses, including Introduction to Sustainability, Sustainable Food and Nutrition, Health Psychology, and Human Sexuality. In each course he explores the direct and indirect connections between our health and the people, policies, and places that surround us.
With a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology and a master's degree in health and human development, Owen has a strong academic background in the health sciences. He also has a deep connection to the natural world and a passion to preserve it. As a result, Owen promotes a systems-based approach to health and wellness, recognizing that personal health is public health is environmental health. "We've got one body and one planet, and the health of one is inextricably linked to the health of the other."