Where did you live before coming to UW and/or where are you from originally?

I had been living in Seattle for 3 years before attending UW, and I am originally from New Jersey. 

What is your background in public health/global health?

I received my BS in Health Management and Policy and a BA in International Affairs with a concentration in public health and after graduation I joined the U.S. Peace Corps where I lived and worked in The Gambia, West Africa. My work mainly focused on health education & literacy and maternal and child health projects. Since then, I’ve worked with local and international government agencies focused on refugee and migrant assistance, case management with unhoused adults with severe mental illness, and most recently pandemic response and vaccine coordination for the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Why did you choose to get your MPH in global health at the UW?

I had always thought about going back and getting an MPH but didn’t seriously consider it until moving to Seattle and hearing about UW’s program from many people, both within the public health field and outside. Looking at the faculty at DGH and their areas of work, both past and present projects and finding what areas the faculty were interested in gave me a good idea of what potential academic and research could be available to me. The small, well-connected department within a highly regarded public institution was an important factor in my decision making. 

What has the cohort experience been like for you?

The knowledge and experiences that my DGH cohort brings to classroom conversations is a beautiful melting pot of lived experiences, opinions and aspirations for the field of public health, and adds more to my learning experience than I had originally hoped. 

What do you enjoy most about Seattle?

I originally moved to Seattle due to the proximity to the mountains, to the ocean and to the beautiful PNW. The variety of cuisines in the area is never-ending, as are the concerts, museums, breweries, hikes, bike paths, parks and opportunities to be in nature. 

What advice do you have for students interested in applying to the program?

It is never a bad time to pursue a degree in Public Health; you will apply your life experiences to the classes and problems that are presented to you. The field is constantly changing, adapting to new ideas and constantly striving to empower people and communities to live better, healthier lives. If you think you’d like to be a part of that change- then reach out to current students or faculty who can help answer any questions you may have about the application process, prospects after graduation and everything in between