Professional Development

adriana tejada

Winston Scholar plans to use health communication for change

Adriana Tejada

Adriana Tejada has transformed firsthand observations of health disparities in her community into a mission for change. Learn how she plans to leverage her online MPH studies and the prestigious Winston Scholarship to bridge communication gaps in public health and empower her community. Adriana reflects on her experience as a Winston Scholar, connecting with health policy leaders and envisioning a future where she serves as a health 'translator' for the diverse communities she holds dear.

shayla-zimmerman

Social work leader integrates public health knowledge in the pursuit of social change

Shayla Zimmerman, MPH ‘23

Even with a wealth of experience, Shayla Zimmerman, a dedicated community organizer and social worker, encountered challenges growing her career without a graduate degree. She turned to Michigan Public Health to expand her skillset and earned her MPH online while she continued the work she’s passionate about. Since graduating, she’s been able to pair her dedication to social justice with new public health knowledge to take her career in social work to new heights.

Sadé Richardson

Full-circle journey: Alumna leads Strategic Initiatives at Michigan Public Health

Sade Richardson, MPH, MSW ’18

For Sadé Richardson, working for the University of Michigan School of Public Health feels like a full-circle moment. As the director of Strategic Initiatives in the Office of Public Health Practice, she leads some of the influential programs she engaged with as an undergraduate student and later as a Master of Public Health student in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education.

Kristi Thomas, MPH '22

Pandemic Galvanizes Dentist to Study Public Health

Kristi Thomas

As much of our society began to shut down in April 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristi Thomas was just gearing up to take on a new chapter in her career. She is now earning her MPH in Population and Health Sciences while she continues to lead the University of Michigan School of Dentistry's Community Dental Center.

Erin Wilkie online MPH student, University of Michigan School of Public Health

Room to Grow: MPH Student Is Discovering Interests with Generalist Program

Erin Wilkie

Erin Wilke had a great job in a state she loved, but she wanted to grow. After completing a bachelor's degree in public health, she started working as a research coordinator within the orthopedic department of the Medical University of South Carolina. She did not want to uproot her life.