Faculty and Staff

Susan Cheng, Ed.L.D., MPP

Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Dr. Susan Cheng is the Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at Georgetown University School of Medicine. She was formerly part of the founding team of Beyond Z, an early stage college to career start-up focused on accelerating diverse talent, where she directed college curriculum and program design for low-income, first-generation college students. Before joining this venture, Susan was an Associate Partner at NewSchools Venture Fund where she focused on human capital investment and management assistance for the firm’s teacher preparation portfolio ventures in the Learning to Teach Fund. While at NewSchools, Susan co-launched design teams focused on collaborating on solutions to address cross-sector challenges impacting teacher preparation. Prior to NewSchools, she joined Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s transition team for the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). While with DCPS, she focused on human capital recruitment and talent development, organizational culture building, and designing and implementing a performance-management system for the central office. Susan also created and ran the Urban Education Leaders Internship Program (UELIP) and launched the Teachers Central to Leadership central office fellowship for DCPS teachers. Prior to DCPS, she volunteered with Partners in Health in Rwanda, worked in the DC Mayor’s office, and managed a portfolio of education diversity and environmental justice programs for the Greenlining Institute in California. 

Susan graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in communications and minor in education. She has a Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a Doctor in Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. While at the Kennedy School, Susan co-designed the Community Building workshop to promote campus diversity and helped to form the ALANA (African, Latino(a), Asian and Native American) Group Chapter on campus. During her doctoral studies, Susan was a Freshman Proctor for Massachusetts Hall at Harvard College, supporting the academic and social development of 28 first year students.

David Taylor, M.Ed.

Senior Associate Dean for Student Learning
Director, Georgetown Experimental Medical Studies (GEMS) Program

Since 1990, David Taylor has been an Administrative and Academic Professional in the Office of Special Programs at Georgetown University School of Medicine. In his role as the Senior Associate Dean for Student Learning, Dean Taylor is responsible for initiatives that promote the retention and advancement of medical students through the four year curriculum.

Dean Taylor teaches and mentors students enrolled in the Georgetown Experimental Medical Studies (GEMS) program, which targets underrepresented and disadvantaged students. GEMS serves as a rich, viable pool of future medical students in support of Georgetown’s commitment to diversity in the health professions. Essential educational services include supplemental instruction in anatomy, biochemistry and physiology, and other structured activities designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and academic outcomes for these promising students.

Member of the Subcommittee on Evaluation and Assessment; member, Sub-Committee on Students, Liaison Committee on Medical Education Accreditation; member, Medical Student Life Advisory Committee; member, GEMS Academic Advisory Committee; member, Curriculum Innovation Committee; Pre-Clinical Advisor to freshman and sophomore medical students; Careers in Medicine Advisor to junior and senior medical students; and, Facilitator, Study Skills & Strategies Workshop for USMLE, Step 1.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Howard University in 1986, and completed the pre-clinical curriculum at the Howard University College of Medicine from 1986-1988. He obtained the Master of Education from George Mason University in 2008. Prior to Georgetown University, Dean Taylor served as Manager of Patient Enrollment for National Clinical Research Centers, Inc.

Recipient of:

John C. Rose Award (2009, 2011) for outstanding service to the Georgetown University School of Medicine.

Crystal Award (2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012) for extraordinary support and commitment to the students of Georgetown University School of Medicine.

Diamond Award (2014) for excellence in medical student advising and support.

Arthur Hoyte, MD Award (2001, 2009) for commitment to diversity and minority student development.

NAMME-NE Director’s Award (2002)

NAMME-NE Distinguished Service Award (2008).

Samantha McLaughlin, MA

Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Samantha McLaughlin has served as a higher education and student affairs professional for nearly 15 years. Most recently, she served as Director for the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S), where she was responsible for managing recruitment and student support initiatives for underrepresented minority medical students. In that capacity, she directed DEI programming for multicultural and affinity student groups, as well as the broader medical center community. Beyond her work with medical students, Ms. McLaughlin also managed a portfolio of pathway programs that provided the resources and training necessary to advance promising middle school, high school, and undergraduate students. To orchestrate these programs, Ms. McLaughlin managed curriculum design, faculty relations, operation oversight and student mentorship.

Ms. McLaughlin has dedicated her career to spearheading diversity initiatives to diversify the health professions and improve health care outcomes across the United States. Her efforts have supported the professional and academic development of thousands of students who identify with racial and ethnic groups that have been historically underrepresented in the health professions, as well as those from backgrounds marked by low socioeconomic status.

Ms. McLaughlin holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Her work history in higher and professional education spans several areas: student activities and co-curricular programming, advisement and counseling, mentorship and professional development, and grants and project management.

Samuel Chan

Strategy Coordinator for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Program Manager, Georgetown Experimental Medical Studies (GEMS) Program

Samuel Chan is the Strategy Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. Prior to joining the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, he worked as a project manager in the health technology sector. He is responsible for providing implementation and organizational support to various faculty and student initiatives. In addition, he supports the recruitment and success of the GEMS program.

Samuel received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. He enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures through food and hitting at the driving range. In his spare time, he also mentors college students at his alma mater and manages media content at his church.