Returning to the University of Michigan after five years working and volunteering with the National Alliance on Mental Health, Bachelor’s student Spencer Walz is using his personal experiences — and a guiding belief in vulnerability and the power of community — to carve a path to population and mental health work.
“Many of the perceived barriers should not slow us down. It can take courage to speak out, but as soon as you do, you realize you're surrounded by people who believe in the same things you do,” says Dudley.
Lukonde Mulenga’s journey to Ann Arbor started with her family in Zambia and led her to the pursuit of an MPH at Michigan Public Health. Along the way, she discovered a few interests and found a way to bring her education home for impactful work.
The surge in studying public health is about public health’s own values. Students want to give back to their communities, to contribute. Promoting and improving population health is a rewarding goal and a career path.
Caldwell is sometimes asked what parenting has to do with public health. “Everything,” she says. “Individual, family, and community health are all about relationships and social support—all of which are vital to the public’s health.”
Amilcar Matos-Moreno’s interest in public health has led him from biostatistics to epidemiology. In the process, he has discovered a way to dedicate his life’s work to making a difference in his home island of Puerto Rico, including Hurricane Maria relief and more.