Register here: https://shorturl.at/gOCNy
The UConn Department of Public Health Sciences and Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills invite students from all majors to connect over lunch while discussing current public health topics and exploring future career paths.
📍 Lunch and drinks provided
🤝 Meet students interested in health careers
💡 Learn about public health pathways and graduate school
All students welcome.
Public health careers in the 21st century demand proficiency interprofessional collaboration, encompassing skills relevant to system-level strategies addressing health within the context of our environment and social structures. Our program’s distinct concentration on Interprofessional Public Health Practice brings medical, dental, social work, law, pharmacy and public health students together with to share and collaborate on learning and service project. Our concentration also reflects a commitment to the practice of public health where students receive ample exposure and interaction with public health professional who one day will be their peers in protecting the health and well-being of our citizenry. Our program is made up of a dynamic community, where students, alumni, faculty, and community partners work together to shape our public health systems and services. When considering the landscape of public health in Connecticut, the impact of our program cannot be overstated.
Applied public health focuses on solving specific, real-world health problems by collecting and acting on data, while theoretical public health focuses on building generalized knowledge, frameworks, and models to understand health phenomena. Applied public health is action-oriented (e.g., creating a vaccination program), while theoretical public health is knowledge-oriented (e.g., studying the social determinants of health to build a model for behavior change)
In some of our classes we teach topics that cover course covers AI, automation, design and data software systems; so they can communicate in the field no matter if they are an environmental researcher, policy maker or biostatistician. The purpose of our classes are to help public health professionals become more advanced with various tools and technology many struggle with after graduation.
You can learn more about our curriculum and competencies here
This past fall, our MPH students kicked off the semester with an afternoon of service at the Metropolitan AME Zion Church in Hartford. Led by Dr. Amy Hunter, the students partnered with SAVE (Saving African American Village), a local organization that collaborates with Amazon each month to bring essential household items to community members in need. These items are distributed at no cost through a monthly community store hosted at the church. As part of the service event, MPH students worked together to prepare donations, organize supplies, and set up the space for the upcoming community store. Their efforts directly support families across Hartford, helping ensure that vital resources are accessible to those who need them most.
Events like this are a cornerstone of the MPH experience at UConn. Beyond the classroom, students gain hands-on opportunities to engage with communities, support health equity initiatives, and build relationships that shape their future careers in public health.
Mayra shares how the UConn MPH program prepared her for meaningful, real-world work in the field. She speaks about the skills she gained: from community engagement and program planning to data-driven decision-making; continuing to shape her career. Now working at the Hispanic Health Council, Mayra plays a role in supporting community health efforts that directly intersect with the medical community, highlighting how public health complements clinical care by focusing on prevention, access, and systems-level change.
“Overall, the MPH program has opened doors for me to pursue work in my own community. For a long time I had the desire to give back to my community in a meaningful way. If it hadn’t been for the program, it wouldn’t have led me to interning for the Hispanic Health Council which in turn wouldn’t have led me to working for this current study. I owe much of the opportunities I have encountered to this program and the people who have mentored me along the way. I am very knowledgeable that I am still young and early into my career but that doesn’t mean that I am not excited about what is to come. Because the reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.”
Explore our MPH Program
Explore our other Public Health Programs
The department was strongly represented throughout the conference. Ten public health students presented a total of 14 posters, joined by MPH alumni and a current MPH student who delivered an oral presentation. Faculty and departmental researchers also contributed to the program, offering a range of presentations that provided valuable public health insights to the community.
To learn more about the conference, read about it on UConn Today here.
Register here
Join the UConn Department of Public Health Sciences and Allied Health Sciences for a casual and engaging lunch event designed for students interested in health-related careers. This gathering creates a welcoming space to meet fellow students, share ideas, and explore how public health connects to many different health professions.
During the event, students will enjoy lunch while participating in icebreakers and conversations about current issues shaping public health today. Graduate Assistants from the UConn Master of Public Health (MPH) program will also share their personal journeys into public health, along with insights on preparing for graduate school and exploring career paths in the field.
The event will also introduce opportunities such as FastTrack and dual degree options, along with tips on academic advising and navigating the next steps in health-related education. To wrap up the session, students will participate in a short, interactive public health activity designed to spark discussion and encourage collaboration.
Whether you’re exploring career possibilities, considering graduate school, or simply curious about public health, this event offers a relaxed environment to learn, connect, and exchange ideas.
Lunch and drinks will be provided. All students are welcome.
Space is limited so please register to save your spot
Public health cannot be learned from a textbook alone. It requires real-world experience, community partnership, and a deep understanding of equity and ethics. The public health practicum bridges the gap between classroom learning and professional practice—giving students the opportunity to make a meaningful difference while preparing for their careers.
The practicum is a two-semester experience that combines classroom preparation with extended field placements. Students begin by building a strong foundation in professionalism, ethics, advocacy, and health equity. They then apply those skills by working closely with public health agencies and community organizations on mutually beneficial projects.
Through these placements, students gain hands-on experience, contribute to real public health initiatives, and learn what it truly means to work in partnership with communities.
By spending extended time in the field, students move beyond observation to active engagement—supporting programs, research, outreach, and policy efforts that address real public health needs. These experiences help students build confidence, clarify career goals, and understand the impact of public health work on people’s lives.
Want to hear directly from students and faculty about what makes the practicum so impactful?
Watch the video above to see how this experience prepares students to become thoughtful, skilled, and community-centered public health professionals.
Learn more about the public health practicum, explore placement opportunities, and discover how hands-on learning can shape your future in public health. Explore our website and follow us on social media to stay connected.
Apply to the MPH program here
Public health is the scientific study of protecting and improving population health. While clinical professionals, such as physicians and nurses, treat individuals when they become ill, public health practitioners and experts develop strategies and practices to prevent those diseases in the first place. Public health is a growing field with a myriad of opportunities to thrive. In this post, we will talk about six reasons why you should get a degree in public health in 2026.
There are always plenty of reasons to study a subject, however it is important to prioritize a field that aligns with your morals and core values.. From environmental work to research, policy, and data, public health offers countless ways to improve lives. If you care about others and want to make a real impact, public health could be for you.
Job security in an increasingly turbulent economy is something we all care about. Even in the current economic climate, public health offers a variety of rewarding career opportunities. Public health allows you to make a living while improving the health and well-being of others. Below are some the high-paying jobs within public health according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Public health is a field of study that provides you with a variety of career choices to choose from. If you have a passion for teaching, you can become a community health educator. If you love math and statistics, you can emerge as a biostatistician. If you love advocacy, you can be a health policy analyst or a lobbyist. A graduate degree in public health will open doors for you at both the local and federal levels.
We all know someone who has a captivating natural charisma someone people love listening to, someone who thrives in a team. If you are that someone (don’t worry if you are NOT, we have plenty of options for you too 😀 ), public health offers plenty of opportunities for you to shine. There are plenty of leadership roles available for public health graduates at the state, federal, non-profits level, and so on. Courses like Health Administration equips students with all the fundamental skills needed for these positions.
Public health is a highly interdisciplinary field. It recruits experts from a variety of fields, including, but not limited to, biology, statistics, economics, sociology, environmental science, and medicine. A career in public health offers you the chance to meet and network with individuals from diverse disciplines. You will continuously be provided with opportunities to expand your knowledge and refine your skills in a plethora of settings.
Public Health also offers plenty of teaching and research opportunities. If you receive training in Biostatistics or other public health research methodology courses, you can easily find a job as a research analyst at any firm. If you have a graduate degree, such as a Master’s or PhD in Public Health, you can start teaching at different colleges and universities.
Overall, public health is a very rewarding field. It gives you the chance to make a difference in the lives of others and impact communities on a deeper level.
Thank you for reading.
Program in Applied Public Health Sciences email: publichealth@uchc.edu
Program Director: Dr. Stacey Brown, PhD – 860-679-5470 stbrown@uchc.edu
What Does a Career in Public Health Really Look Like After Graduation?
Public health has never been more essential than it is right now. From addressing health inequities and chronic disease to strengthening community-based care and supporting the medical system beyond hospital walls, public health professionals are helping shape healthier futures every day. For students considering this path, one big question often comes up: What does a career in public health actually look like after graduation?
In this alumni spotlight, we sit down with Mayra, a UConn Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate from December 2025, to talk about her academic journey, career path, and what she does now as a public health professional.
Mayra shares how the UConn MPH program prepared her for meaningful, real-world work in the field. She speaks about the skills she gained: from community engagement and program planning to data-driven decision-making; continuing to shape her career. Now working at the Hispanic Health Council, Mayra plays a role in supporting community health efforts that directly intersect with the medical community, highlighting how public health complements clinical care by focusing on prevention, access, and systems-level change.
Throughout the conversation, Mayra also reflects on the mentors who supported her during her time at UConn and how those relationships helped her grow both professionally and personally. Her story underscores how an MPH can open doors to a wide range of impactful careers. Whether you’re working alongside healthcare providers, advocating for underserved populations, or designing programs that improve health outcomes at the community level.
If you’re curious about the many career paths an MPH can lead to, what life after graduation really looks like, or how public health professionals are making a difference in today’s rapidly changing health landscape, this alumni spotlight offers an honest and inspiring look into the possibilities.
Public health is everywhere. It shapes the air we breathe, the food we eat, the policies that affect our daily lives, and the systems that keep communities healthy. And it needs people from all backgrounds.
Whether you’re studying engineering, biology, psychology, business, environmental studies, or something completely different, Public Health 101 is designed to show how your skills and interests can make a real-world impact.
This student-led, classroom-based session offers an approachable introduction to public health—what it is, what professionals do day-to-day, and how public health works behind the scenes to support communities locally and globally.
Snack and drinks will be provided.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
12:30 – 1:45 PM
Room 203
Panelists:
This session will focus on how public health research and practice directly support and strengthen communities, with examples rooted in real-world impact.
Register for this session: UConn Waterbury Public Health 101: Empower Your Community – Fill out form
Thursday, February 19, 2026
12:30 – 1:45 PM
HTB 216
Panelists:
This session will highlight interdisciplinary public health work and how research, education, and policy intersect to improve population health.
Register for this session: UConn Hartford – Public Health 101: Empower Your Community – Fill out form
Thursday, February 26, 2026
12:30 – 1:45 PM
Student Union 104
Focus: FastTrack Program & Environmental Health
Panelists:
This session will spotlight how environmental health connects to public health and provide an overview of the UConn MPH FastTrack program for students interested in accelerating their path to graduate study.
Register for this session: UConn Storrs- Public Health 101: Empower Your Community – Fill out form
Public Health 101 breaks down the field in a clear, engaging way, focusing on prevention, systems, and population-level impact rather than individual patient care. Through real examples, discussion, and visuals, you’ll explore how public health intersects with:
You’ll also see how public health connects directly to student life and everyday decision-making.
Led by current UConn MPH students, these sessions are designed to be interactive, welcoming, and low-pressure. There’s plenty of time to ask questions and hear honest perspectives about:
No prior public health experience is required—just curiosity.
Each session features a panel of faculty, researchers, students, and public health professionals who bring different perspectives to the conversation. Panelists will share what led them to public health, what their work looks like day-to-day, and how their research or practice empowers communities.
And yes—snacks and drinks will be provided, because learning is better fueled.
During each session, you’ll also learn about the academic pathways available through the UConn Department of Public Health Sciences, including:
UConn’s MPH program is CEPH-accredited and known for its interdisciplinary faculty, real-world projects, student-led research, and strong community partnerships—along with opportunities to save on tuition.
If you’re:
Public Health 101 is an easy, low-commitment way to see where you fit and how you can empower your community.
We hope to see you there.
Registration links:
We are thrilled to share that Ella Stanwood, a dedicated student from the UConn Department of Public Health Sciences, has been selected for the CT Department of Public Health’s Public Health Fellowship Program. This program is made possible with CDC Public Health Infrastructure Grant funding and is coordinated by the Yale School of Public Health’s Office of Community & Practice!
The Connecticut Public Health Fellowship Program (PHFP) connects emerging public health professionals with hands-on experience in state and local public health agencies — offering real-world opportunities to make a tangible difference in our communities. This competitive fellowship supports students who are driven to explore careers in public health practice and service, and it includes a stipend to help support their work.
During her fellowship, she will be placed with a Connecticut public health agency where she will work alongside experienced professionals, engage in meaningful projects, and help advance essential public health services that keep communities safe and healthy.
This fellowship not only provides invaluable professional experience but also strengthens the bridge between academic training and public health practice.
Please join us in congratulating Ella Stanwood on this well-deserved achievement! We can’t wait to see her continue to shine and contribute to a healthier, more equitable future for all.
Donation Drive Extended Through January!
This winter, our department is proud to support two impactful initiatives dedicated to serving Hartford residents: Hands On Hartford and Community Service Officer Jim Barrett’s Homeless Outreach Program. As the colder months arrive and financial instability continues to rise, community support is more important than ever.
About Community Service Officers & Officer Jim Barrett
Community Service Officers work directly within Hartford neighborhoods, building relationships, attending community events, and addressing quality-of-life concerns. Officer Jim Barrett, the city’s homeless outreach officer, goes above and beyond to support unhoused individuals. Operating out of a renovated bomb squad truck turned mobile care unit, he provides supplies, resources, and connections to social services. His compassionate work has been recognized locally and nationally.
About Hands On Hartford
Hands On Hartford strengthens the community through housing support, food access, homelessness prevention, and outreach services. Their MANNA Community Pantry, Backpack Nutrition Program, Supportive Housing, and Shared Use Kitchen all play a crucial role in meeting basic needs and fostering long-term stability. Their participation-based restaurant, Gather55, welcomes everyone—regardless of ability to pay—creating a space where community and compassion meet over a shared meal.
They also operate a Day Program that provides referrals, shelter support, health screenings, and a safe environment for those experiencing homelessness. With more than 1,400 volunteers each year and support from civic, faith-based, and organizational partners, Hands On Hartford continues to create a healthier, more inclusive Hartford for all.
How You Can Help
This year, many community members are facing reduced assistance, unexpected hardships, and limited access to food or warm clothing. Even small contributions can make a meaningful difference—especially items like $5 fast-food gift cards, which provide unhoused individuals the opportunity to purchase a warm meal.
Most-needed items include:
Financial contributions –
Please contact the following emails:
jindavis@uchc.edu, lcook@uchc.edu, samociuk@uchc.edu, and parris@uchc.edu
Nonperishable food
Full-size toiletries & household essentials
Food for children’s backpack nutrition program
Snack kits for outreach
Hygiene products
Cold-weather gear
$5 fast-food gift cards to Mcdonalds, Burger King and Dunkin Donuts
Bus passes
Your generosity directly supports individuals and families navigating challenging times. Thank you for helping us make a positive impact this winter.
