Students and Alumni of HSP
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Nandini DeoBefore Health, Society & Policy; I spent two years studying Chemical Engineering. During that time, I was able to do clean air research. Surprisingly, I became most fascinated by the health implications associated with high pollution areas. The more I learned about the complex problems that surround us, the more I wanted to study the social infrastructure those problems live inside, as well as human-centric solutions. |
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Jessie DuarteWhat I loved about Health, Society & Policy was choosing from a variety of classes in different departments that would best help me in my future career. The classes I took taught me a lot about the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health. I also learned about how our health care system works. |
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Brixton EllsworthI was an HSP and Psychology double major, with minors in Nutrition and Health; and an Applied Certificate in Positive Psychology. I am also an inducted member of the Sigma Alpha Pi and Psi Chi Honor Societies. I began my studies at the University of Utah after a number of years on the road, touring and playing music professionally in various bands. I always knew I wanted to eventually go into the mental health field. |
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Stormy Foster-PalmerI majored in Health, Society & Policy with a minor in International Studies. Throughout my undergraduate experience I worked as a Neuromuscular Research Assistant at the School of Medicine, interned for Utahns Against Hunger doing food policy research, and with Utah Foundation doing public policy research on prison drug rehabilitation programs and suicide. |
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Jessica FulmerWhen I finally made up my mind that I wanted to go to medical school, the first task I had was to choose what bachelor's degree I would pursue. I heard about the Health, Society & Policy degree from my pre-med advisor, who thought I might be interested in taking a look at it. |
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Abbey GatesI am currently working towards dual majors in Health, Society & Policy and Honors Political Science. When I first started attending the University of Utah, I was unsure as to what major to pursue. I was in the process of deciding whether I would continue school to become a doctor or a lawyer but knowing that I definitely wanted to obtain a second degree left my options for an undergraduate major fairly open. |
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Rebecca HighamI am an HSP and Sociology double major. I have gotten involved with research including the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research with my faculty mentor, Akiko Kamimura. After completing my undergrad, I hope to continue my education by getting a Master’s in Public Health. Majoring in Health, Society & Policy is preparing me to continue my education as well as preparing me for a career in Public Health. |
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Elizabeth Eugenie Izampuye
I am an HSP and International Studies double major. Last year I was able to expand my knowledge of global and public health issues by joining the Global Health Scholars program and participating in the University of Utah’s first Global Health Case Competition, in which my team and I placed second for our proposal on helping decrease the spread of malaria in Ghana. |
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Jeff JohnsonSeveral years ago, I found myself stuck at the ultimate crossroads of my life. I was a 27-year old college Junior, and felt I was headed down the wrong path. I was confused, lost, depressed, and frustrated. After a steady decline in academic performance, I knew I could not continue down that path, nor did I want to. I battled in my head over what to do, but eventually made the difficult decision to drop out of school. |
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Noelia JuarezI am an HSP and Sociology double major. As an undergrad, I have had the opportunity to participate in research and present my findings at the Undergraduate Research Symposium as well as the College of Social & Behavioral Science Student Research Day. I was even able to publish my research in an academic journal! |
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Zoe KozlowskiI graduated with an Honors Health, Society & Policy Degree. My thesis was "Assessing the Contraceptive Needs of Homeless Women in Salt Lake City" and I plan to continue my research in the future. In my time at the University of Utah, I worked as a University Ambassador, a Hinckley Intern at Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., and as the ASUU Vice President of University Relations. |
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Mili LangiI am a second-generation Tongan-American who grew up in worlds at odds: the serene beaches of Hawaii and the secure mountains of Utah. The dichotomy of having one foot on land (America) and one on Sea (Islands) is reflective of my personal and academic journey. The pull of Sea binds me to my Tongan heritage, a way of life centered on caring for family and community through the ebbs and flows of life. |
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Jennifer LuckauI am a mother of two and a “non-traditional student” (which just means I am old enough to be called “mom” by many of my classmates). My path to the HSP degree has been a long and winding one and begins when I graduated high school with plans to enroll in college that fall. |
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Grace MasonI am studying Political Science and Health, Society & Policy through the Honors College. In my time as a first year, I served the University as a member of two ASUU Boards (Government Relations and Student Advocacy), the Bennion Center’s First Year Service Corps, Students for Choice, The Daily Utah Chronicle, Allied Students for Contraception, and previously as a writer for Her Campus. |
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Hailey McLeanI majored in Health, Society & Policy with a minor in Sociology. Throughout my undergraduate education I had the opportunity to pursue a lot of different volunteering experiences. I was involved with Connect2Heath which allowed me to work with individuals experiencing homelessness at 4th St. Clinic. I also had the oppurtunity to tutor refugee students in South Salt Lake through a refugee center called Hser Ner Moo. |
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Samuel O’BrienI discovered my interest in public health during my first medical mission to Haiti. Our group brought supplies to an orphanage and set up temporary clinics in five villages. We also provided support for a nursing school in Port-au-Prince. During this trip and another later on, I was exposed to the difficulties of providing medical care in a developing country. |
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Elaine PetersonI graduated from the University of Utah with a major in “Behavioral Science and Health” currently named “Health, Society & Policy.” Since leaving the U, I have worked as Program Manager for University of Utah School of Medicine, Deptartment of Ophthalmology. I am soon planning to retire. |
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Leslie Salamanca-SoteloI am an HSP and Sociology double major. I did a whole lot of really cool things as an undergrad such as conducting a research study with my hometown health department to better understand the health care needs and resources that different populations, emphasizing on the Latinx community, have access to while taking into account different socio-economic factors within the community. |
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Jordan ScarrI am an HSP and Sociology major. I’ve been fortunate enough to serve as a Bennion Center program director with The Road Home and Primary Children’s Medical Center, working with underserved populations in Utah and exploring various careers in health. I was also an intern with the Utah Health Policy Project, planning a festival to promote UHPP and help more underserved Utahns get medical insurance. |
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Austin WatersThroughout my Honors HSP degree I was able to pursue my passion for community engagement and population health while honing my skills in research, program management, and capacity building. As I began my Honors HSP degree, I began to get involved in programs like Connect2Health, Hotspotting and the Bennion Center which led me to my passion of infusing community into public health and medicine. |