Master of Public Health (MPH) Student Profiles

I have to say, timing is everything! I enrolled in MPH 535 the semester before I enrolled in MPH 570 &  571. MPH 535 Program Planning with Dr. Muegge required me to write up a mock grant application for a health education program. As I developed this program for my mock grant, I realized this was directly related to what I wanted to work on for my internship. I was able to utilize this project and introduce it to my internship site supervisor as the final project for my internship.

This program that I was developing started out as a grant application, but developed into a meaningful project that directly related to my internship. This developed into a skill-building, tangible product that identified a need in the area where I work. This helped me build my professional background, increase my networking skills, increase health literacy in the field I’m already working in, and broaden my knowledge. As this project is not precisely what I do, it has enhanced my knowledge of the program for the work I do. The flow was seamless and meaningful.

Internship Profile: MPH Graduate student, Laura Scudder, is completing her 200-hour internship at the Indiana State Department of Health in the Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Prevention Division.

She works primarily with diseases such as Salmonella, Listeriosis, and Shiga-Toxin Producing E. Coli. Laura investigates the causes of these illnesses and identifies exposure patterns to help reduce outbreaks. After graduation, Laura will continue working with infectious diseases through community outreach work.

Internship Profile: Public Health Senior, Daisy Iang, is completing her 300-hour internship at Integrity Learning Center, where she works as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).

Daisy works with kids with autism to help build communication, social, and daily living skills using ABA strategies.

Daisy says, “I love being able to support their growth and see their progress.” After graduation, Daisy will continue working at Integrity Learning Center while earning her MPH at UIndy.

Internship Profile: MPH Graduate student, Addie Stone, is completing her 200-hour internship at Pike Township Fire Department in Indianapolis.

Addie accepted this position to support Pike’s initiative to connect high utilizers of 911 to needed resources through their new Community Resource Paramedicine program. By completing this internship, Pike hopes to continue reducing unnecessary 911 runs through follow-up home visits and post-discharge support. As Addie nears graduation, she is considering careers in Community Paramedicine, either at Pike or elsewhere.

Internship Profile: PHEP Senior, Maria Fuentes, is completing her 300-hour internship at the Saint Vincent de Paul in Indianapolis.

Maria chose SVdP because she believes they care deeply about their neighbors in need. Maria reports that the staff do everything they can to help educationally, mentally, spiritually, and in any other aspect. Learn more about the work of SVdP at SVDPIndy.org Maria, the inaugural Brooke Greenwood award winner, is interested in pursuing an MPH or MBA post graduation to continue serving in the non-profit field.

Student Spotlight: Lucy Blake’s Graduate School Internship at the American Red Cross

I began volunteering at the Red Cross Greater Indianapolis Chapter in January 2024. During my time as a volunteer, I supported the Red Cross's mission in various areas. In August 2024, my supervisor asked if I would like to complete my 200-hour graduate school internship with the chapter. My internship with the Red Cross has provided me with invaluable hands-on experience. I have taken on multiple roles and managed different projects.

This semester, I have been able to provide home fire education and install smoke alarms, respond to home fires as a Disaster Action Team Specialist, create two new partnerships with local organizations, create pocket guides for volunteers to use to improve communication and build trust with diverse communities, and help with logistics for Sound the Alarm. Through my experience, I have developed a deeper understanding of emergency preparedness and response, which aligns with my professional goals. Additionally, I have built strong connections with professionals in the field, opening doors to potential career opportunities. This experience has enhanced my leadership and project management skills, preparing me for future roles in public health and emergency response. Overall, my internship has been a pivotal step in my career, broadening my perspective and equipping me with the skills to make a meaningful impact in the community.

Student Spotlight: Emma Marsh’s Honors Project: Period Poverty

I chose the topic of Period Poverty because it is a public health issue that not many are aware of and I wanted to bring it to people's attention with the intention of helping them realize not only the scope of the issue, but also to see that there are changes that need to be made. Then I chose to make it a service-learning project because I wanted my honors project to involve a way that I could give back to the campus community, and by providing the food pantry with feminine hygiene bags, I was able to help the student body, even if it was just in a small way. This project combined my love of public health and the joy I get from giving back to others, making it a project that I will always be proud of.

Student Highlight: Congratulations to Senior Kya Jones, who recently received a Scholarship from the Council of Independent Colleges and UPS Foundation!

Volunteer Opportunities Kya Jones is a senior majoring in Public Health Education and Promotion with a concentration in Aging Studies. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) to continue her education and advance her career in the field.

Student Highlight: 4+1 MPH Student Emma Marsh’s Honors Project: The Period Poverty Project

The purpose of my honors project, The Period Poverty Project, is to provide students at the University of Indianapolis with feminine hygiene bags containing a week's worth of period supplies they would be able to retrieve from the UIndy Food Pantry at no cost. This project will be an opportunity for college students to learn about what period poverty is and who it impacts, while also getting service hours. After the brief educational portion, students will be able to help pack feminine hygiene bags that will be taken to the UIndy Food Pantry. This project will give back to the students at the University of Indianapolis, while also benefiting those that chose to participate in packaging the hygiene bags. The goal of this project is to bring awareness to the topic of period poverty while also helping to reduce the financial burden that might come with purchasing period supplies as a college student.

Looking at this project in the light of the future, there will be collaboration with the food pantry to see if this meets the needs of the students, while looking into providing more accessibility to period products in the future.