DETROIT— Former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed became the first-ever scholar-in-residence in Wayne State’s criminal justice department and public health program. 

El-Sayed is set to give two public lectures and teach the interdisciplinary course, “Well Being and Public Policy: Issues and Concepts” during his residency this fall.

“Wayne State is a jewel in Michigan’s public higher education system,” El-Sayed said in a statement released by WSU. “Since my father came to America to attend WSU, it’s played a particularly important role in my life. I’m so grateful to spend some time with the students, faculty and staff at Wayne and to engage on issues that are critical in this time.”

El-Sayed’s course will cover contemporary topics in human well being such as criminal injustice, air and water rights, and healthcare.

“We all want to ‘save lives,’” El-Sayed wrote in the course description. “But, in my experience, that’s hard to do because everybody — to the best of my knowledge — passes away. Though we cannot save life, we can prolong life, improve life and provide for equitable access to a long, healthy, meaningful life.”

The three-credit course will have a public lecture portion featuring discussions with experts and a small group component allowing students to join the conversation.

“The college is thrilled to have someone of Dr. El-Sayed’s stature join us as scholar-in-residence,” said Steffi Hartwell, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “His experience as a public servant and activism work makes him an invaluable resource for our students.”

El-Sayed previously served as health commissioner in Detroit and was on the State of Michigan Child Lead Poisoning Elimination Board and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Advisory Committee.

He earned his doctorate degree from Columbia University, where he was named director of the Columbia University Systems Science Program and co-director of Global Research for Population Health. 

The deadline for WSU students to apply is April 19. Interested students should visit go.wayne.edu/El-SayedCourse.