Gwendolyn Francavillo

Dr. Gwendolyn S. Roberts Francavillo is an experienced Associate Professor of Public Health in the DrPH program of the College of Health Sciences and Public Policy at Walden University. She has taught college-level health since 1998 and has conducted research with a focus on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of advocacy, holistic wellness, global health, stress management, sexuality, and public health ethics. Dr. Francavillo has a PhD and Master’s degree in Public Health, and is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). She is active as a leader in national Public Health organizations (American Public Health Association and Society for Public Health Education), and has received funding, published findings, and presented at numerous national conferences. Dr. Francavillo is passionate about inspiring her students with their research projects, and has an interactive teaching approach to make any topic fun and engaging! One of her sources of joy is teaching yoga to varied populations for over 25 years and is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). Dr. Francavillo is dedicated to assisting others embrace positivity, feel empowered to take responsibility for their own health, and be the best selves they can be!

Courses Taught

PUBH 6030 - Socioecological Perspectives on Health

PUBH 9000 - Public Health Dissertation

PUBH 8518 - Doctoral Seminar

PUBH 8501 - Scholar-Practitioner Inquiry

PUBH 9100 - Public Health Capstone

PUBH 8900 - Research Forum

Education

PhD, University of Maryland, College Park

MPH, The George Washington University

BA, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Public Service

American Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Science, Other -

American Public Health Association, Other -

Society of Public Health Education, Other -

Awards / Honors

Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Marymount University, 2018

First Place Oral Presentation, Student Research Conference Faculty Mentor, Marymount University, 2017

Malek School of Health Professions “Most Collegial” , Marymount University, 2017

Eta Sigma Gamma Health Education Honor Society, University of Maryland, College Park, 2004

AAHPERD Acknowledgement Award, , 2002

Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1997

Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges, UMBC, 1997

Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1997

Visionary Leader, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1997

Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1997

Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1996

School of Public Health and Health Services Schola, The George Washington University, 1998

President's Student Advisory Council, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1997

Member of InterCorps Council, AmeriCorps, 1998

Educational Scholarship, AmeriCorps, 1998

Outstanding Service Organzation, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1997

Publications

Wong, A., Nordvall, M., Walters-Edwards, M., Lastova, K., Francavillo, G., Summerfield, L., Sanchez-Gonzalez, M. (2017). Cardiac Autonomic and Blood Pressure Responses to an Acute Bout of Kettlebell Exercise. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

Wong, A., Nordvall, M., Walters-Edwards, M., Lastova, K., Francavillo, G., Tripken, J. L., Figueroa, A. (2017). Cardiac Autonomic and Blood Pressure Responses to an Acute Bout of Kettlebell Exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Francavillo, G. (2009). Sexuality Education, Sexual Communication, Rape Myth Acceptance, and Sexual Assault Experience among Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Students.. Doctoral dissertation

Francavillo, G. (2006). Sexuality and HIV/AIDS Education among Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students.. Deaf Worlds International Journal of Deaf Studies

Francavillo, G. (2005). HIV/AIDS Sexual Risk Reduction Behaviors among College Students: A Literature Review. The Health Education Monograph Series

Nzelu, C., Aagard, M., Danawi, H., Francavillo, G., Melea, P. (2024). Influence of knowledge about discriminatory practices towards HIV positive individuals with the uptake of HIV testing during pregnancy among reproductive-aged women in Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Journal

Nzelu, C., Aagard, M., Danawi, H., Francavillo, G., Melea, P. (2024). Predictors of HIV testing among pregnant women aged 15-49 years in Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Journal

Kish-Doto, J., Francavillo, G. (2024). Public health professionals’ views on climate change, advocacy, and health. Journal of Communication in Healthcare

Presentations

Francavillo, G. (2017). College Students Experience Sexual Assault Disproportionately as a Result of Disparities. National Wellness Institute

Francavillo, G. (2017). Educating vulnerable students with evidence-based sexual assault information. Marymount University

Francavillo, G. (2015). Improving prevention and response to sexual misconduct on campus: How the data help us.. American College Health Association

Francavillo, G. (2013). Sexuality assault knowledge among deaf and hard of hearing college students . American Public Health Association

Francavillo, G. (2013). Sexual education, sexual communication, sexual assault knowledge, rape myths, acceptance, and sexual assault experience among deaf and hard of hearing college students . VERA and Department of Justice

Francavillo, G. (2010). Sexuality Education, Sexual Communication, Rape Myth Acceptance, and Sexual Assault Experience among Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Students. American Public Health Association

Francavillo, G. (2008). Sexuality and HIV/AIDS Education among Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students. University of Maryland, College Park

Francavillo, G. (2008). How to Stay Healthy in College. MonkeySee.com

Francavillo, G. (2007). HPV: Women's Hidden Sexual Health Risk. Gallaudet University

Francavillo, G. (2008). Party Your Head Off. The Bacchus Network

Roberts, G. S., Francavillo, G. (2005). Risqué Business. Bacchus and Gamma

Francavillo, G. (2004). 1, 2, 3…Breathe!. Bacchus and Gamma

Francavillo, G. (2008). Yoga. Gallaudet University

Roberts, G. S., Francavillo, G. (2004). Yoga. National Black Deaf Conference

Roberts, G. S., Francavillo, G. (1998). World AIDS Day. Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Francavillo, G. (2025). Engage, Empower, Advocate: Mobilizing Communities for Public Health Change. Society for Public Health Education

Francavillo, G. S. (2019). Applying an Ethical Decision-Making Framework to Case Studies Involving Public Health Issues and Risk Behaviors. American Public Health Association