Celebrating Our Students

As future public health leaders and practitioners, our students are actively engaged in learning, research, and service. They build a strong educational foundation in the classroom and learn real-world skills through experiential learning opportunities, internships, practicum experiences, conferences, case competitions, and travel abroad. They also gain valuable experience as teaching and research assistants, by conducting research of their own, and participating in departmental student organizations.

Students also bring their energy to extracurricular and volunteer activities that enrich the campus, community, and beyond. Over the years, students have spearheaded service projects, volunteered in schools, organized lectures and discussions, raised awareness about public health issues, served as ambassadors for the college, and more.

Here, in their own words, several students and recent graduates share what they’ve gained from their experiences in and out of the classroom.

"I believe it is important for students to engage with activities and organizations outside of the classroom as it broadens your outlook on the world."

LIA LOVE, UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

“Doing this internship project was probably the highlight of my educational career so far. Now it’s something that I can tell people about, and I know that I’ve made an impact on the community.”

RAGAN MARTIN, 24BS, ABOUT HER INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE WITH JOHNSON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH

“Hands-on experiences such as internships and volunteer opportunities provided me with practical skills and exposed me to the real-world application of public health principles.”

LAUREN KLOFT, 24MPH

“I think it’s just a really important skill to develop, learning how to ask questions and be an engaged listener.”

LAUREN LAVIN, PHD STUDENT, HEALTH SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATION, ON THE SKILLS SHE DEVELOPED AS A HOST OF THE FROM THE FRONT ROW PODCAST

“Interning abroad impacted my skillset more significantly than I expected. It enhanced my cross-cultural competence and adaptability.”

GUADALUPE DE LA ROSA, 24BA, ABOUT HER UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE IN CHILE

“Engaging in research has significantly boosted my self-confidence as a student. It has not only equipped me with valuable technical skills but also honed essential soft skills. Through research, I’ve had the opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow researchers spanning various fields, broadening my network.”

PRECIOUS MARYAH PATE, 24BS

“I’ve always been a very independent person, but research here has taught me how important collaboration is to successful science.”

DAN CORRY, 23PHD IN EPIDEMIOLOGY

Some of the current and past CPH student organizations and initiatives include:

• ƒ Biostatistics Student Organization

• ƒ College of Public Health Graduate Student Association

• ƒ Community and Behavioral Health Student Association

• ƒ ECO Hawk

• ƒ Epidemiology Student Association

• ƒ From the Front Row, a student-run public health podcast

• ƒ Health Equity Advancement Lab (HEAL)

• ƒ Here to Help Mental Health and Well-being Organization

• ƒ International Student Advisory Board

• ƒ Iowa Student Association of Healthcare Leaders

• ƒ LGBTQ+ Advocates for Public Health Equity

• ƒ Maternal and Child Health Student Interest Group

• ƒOccupational and Environmental Health Student Association

• ƒPlugged in to Public Health, a student-run public health podcast

• ƒ Public Health Strike Force

• ƒ Public Health Student Ambassadors

• ƒ Student Association for Rural Health

• ƒ Undergraduate Mentorship Program

• ƒ Undergraduate Public Health Organization

• ƒ Women in Biostatistics