Are you interested in learning more about graduate students at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health? Read about some of our outstanding student Ambassadors below. Feel free to connect with an Ambassador in one of the following ways:
- Email an Ambassador through the email address on their profile
- Follow us on Instagram @uazpublichealth
- If you are interested in having a panel of public health graduate student Ambassadors speak in your class, student club, or organization, please contact us at coph-admit@email.arizona.edu.
Raleigh Addington
MPH, One Health / MA, Latin American Studies (Tucson Campus)
"Every day, I have been challenged by my peers and professors on subjects, systems and with community members that I had never know before. I am constantly stretching and adapting as we work to address the wicked problems of our world's health."
Krystelle Boyd
MPH, Epidemiology (Tucson Campus)
"I am very proud of how far I have come in my education if it weren't for MEZCOPH who helped me figure out what I want to do after exploring multiple areas of public health that I didn't think would exist. I gained phenomenal public health experiences that changed my whole life that I can actually make a difference within my tribal community."
Raegan Winder
MPH, Public Health Policy & Management (Tucson Campus)
"MEZCOPH has given me the tools, patience, and confidence to pursue my goals. The entire community of students, faculty, and advisors are so respectful and really want to see every student succeed!"
Caleigh Curley
DrPH, Public Health Policy and Management (Tucson Campus)
"MEZCOPH has challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and has opened many doors for me to change, grow, and transform into the public health professional I strive to be."
Ashleigh Manuelito
MPH, Health Behavior Health Promotion (Online Campus)
"While I was working part-time I was taking Non-Degree Seeking courses that allowed me to ease into the MPH program. During the height of the pandemic, I felt the need to work with my community and helped build a COVID-19 contact tracing program on the Navajo Nation."
Aliza Benitez
MPH, Global Health / MBA (Tucson Campus)
"Be open to whatever opportunities might come your way. you never know what you might learn."
Elena Burr
MPH, Health Behavior Health Promotion (Online Campus)
"As an online student I never expected the sense of connection I've experienced at MEZCOPH, but on top of an expansive education, they have provided me countless opportunities to build relationships with this community of inspired and driven individuals."
Vanessa Madrid-Resendiz
MPH, Public Health Policy & Management (Tucson Campus)
" I would recommend MEZCOPH because no matter your concentration, everyone is a part of the same team due to a shared sense of responsibility and passion for public health. Since day one, I have felt supported by a plethora of faculty who have me and my education in their best interest."
Ryann Quick
MPH, Health Behavior Health Promotion (Online Campus)
"The online MPH program has been a wonderful experience, I am able to take what I am learning in my classes and apply it to my professional work in real-time. Being able to integrate the academic perspective of public health and real-world practicality is awesome and has allowed me to grow."
Shreyasi Chakraborty
MPH, Health Services Administration (Phoenix Campus)
"I feel our faculty is great at supporting students so that they can reach their potential. So far the experience gained from the courses are invaluable and it made me a more confident student."
Jazmin Gonzalez
MPH, Public Health Policy & Management / MA, Latin American Studies (Tucson Campus)
"I have simultaneously learned from and contributed to a place where my nascent expertise in the topics expressed above have been propelled to new heights thanks to the mentorships and guidance of a distinguished faculty corpus, and the communities of Arizona."
Garrett Tomlin
MPH, Public Health Policy and Management (Tucson Campus)
"I would recommend MEZCOPH because of the amazing people that I have been surrounded by and all of the opportunities MEZCOPH affords us as students!"
Erika Walker
MPH, Epidemiology (Tucson Campus)
"My time at MEZCOPH so far has deepened my appreciation and passion for public health. I'm excited for my next year in the MPH program and to ultimately work in the field and apply what I've learned."
Robert Shatto
MPH Public Health Practice (Phoenix Campus)
"I highly recommend the Public Health Practice concentration in Phoenix for anyone looking for a hybrid in-person and online graduate experience. It's allowed me the flexibility to continue my current career and pursue my MPH at the same time."
Lauren Waisanen
MPH, Public Health Practice (Phoenix Campus)
"Approachable faculty with both theoretical and practical experience that enhances the learning process."
Kaitlyn Johnke
MPH, Family and Child Health / MA, Latin American Studies (Tucson Campus)
"I liked my first year on campus so much that I wanted to extend my time at UArizona and MEZCOPH, and applied to the MPH Latin American Studies dual degree program. I found a community within the students and faculty and so many ways to get involved!"
Sophia Archibeque
MS, Biostatistics (Tucson Campus)
Through my time at MEZCOPH I have met so many wonderful people who are dedicated to their work and helping the Tucson community. I have gained many skills, both theoretical and applicable, that I will carry with me always.
Joy Luzingu
PhD, Epidemiology (Tucson Campus)
"I truly appreciated my interactions with professors during my studies at MEZCOPH. They provided me with support not only during classes but also in research projects. This aspect has helped me a lot to grow as a researcher, and I hope I will apply what I learned here to help solve health issues where my contribution will be needed."
Amaka Okpara-Oguadimma
MPH, Health Services Administration (Phoenix Campus)
"The atmosphere of love, unity, and inclusiveness that exists in this college helped me to succeed. The dedication, and support from the professors, and faculty staff are amazing. MEZCOPH equips you with the tools to eliminate health disparities. I’m glad to identify with a college that is truly passionate about serving the communities both locally and internationally."
Sarah Yeo
PhD, Health Behavior Health Promotion (Tucson Campus)
"MEZCOPH equips you with the tools to contribute to solving longstanding wicked problems such as health disparities. At the same time, this is where you could meet wonderful fellows on the challenging journey."
Niraly Patel
PhD, Health Behavior Health Promotion (Tucson Campus)
"Don't be afraid to create opportunities for yourself. The road to success requires determination."
Breanna Lameman
MPH, Health Behavior Health Promotion (Tucson Campus)
"MEZCOPH offers multiple areas of study and I was able to chose my choice of area of study based on the classes I took at MEZCOPH as an undergrad and learn more about the graduate students experiences."
James Hollister
PhD, Biostatistics (Tucson Campus)
"My favorite MEZCOPH quality is the relationship between the faculty and the students. I've had the pleasure of working with many professors on projects, and they have always been so willing to teach and support me through every step of the process."
Katie Herder
PhD, Biostatistics (Tucson Campus)
"Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, MEZCOPH has provided a community in which I’ve felt supported and able to thrive. The faculty and staff are passionate, approachable, and seem to really care about their students. Through MEZCOPH, I’ve been connected to so many interesting people and opportunities I hadn't expected. It is a terrific network to be apart of!"
Erika Christine Austhof
PhD, Epidemiology (Tucson Campus)
"The University of Arizona has amazing faculty and students which create a community I'm proud to be a part of."
Amy Nematollahi
PhD, Environmental Health Sciences (Tucson Campus)
"I am so grateful for the guidance and encouragement I have received from my mentors and friends at MEZCOPH who have pushed me to work hard and think even harder."
Maiya Block
PhD, Health Behavior Health Promotion (Tucson Campus)
"I am proud of MEZCOPH's interest in helping the community and being active members of many projects around Tucson, Pima County and Southern Arizona in general. I find my fellow students to be very collaborative as well and interested in making a difference in the world."
Cody Welty
PhD Health Behavior Health Promotion (Tucson Campus)
“In my time at MEZCOPH, the experience and knowledge I have gained from coursework, my advisors, and other activities has been invaluable. There are opportunities available for local organizations, government, and within MEZCOPH, and I am always able to make new connections with the community and people.”
Brianna Rooney
DrPH, Public Health Policy & Management (Tucson Campus)
"I have been pleasantly surprised by the welcoming MEZCOPH community and the many opportunities to get involved in impactful work. The support I feel from the faculty, advisors, and students enables me to achieve my professional and personal goals in public health."
Dasy Resendiz
MPH, Health Behavior Health Promotion / MA, Latin American Studies (Tucson Campus)
My public health education at MEZCOPH as well as my personal background have taught me
that to be an effective public health professional, one should learn how trust and respect are
earned among communities. This global health experience with the Clinica Integral Almas
provided me with the necessary skills to garner trust and respect among Indigenous communities.
In the future, I hope to work alongside underserved and rural indigenous communities in the
United States, Mexico, and Guatemala.
Hamza Butt
PhD, Biostatistics (Tucson Campus)
"One of the most interesting experiences here has been that I tend to enjoy the difficult classes more. The first 2 or 3 lectures for my probability class under Dr. Joe Watkins depicted a quite conceptually challenging course ahead. However, his genius way of incorporating humor during lectures made me push the hardest for this class, including Wednesday all-nighters trying to learn how to type in Latex. My experience with the High Dimensional Analysis and Statistics classes this term is similar. MEZCOPH’s structuring of these important courses has helped foster a deeper interest in biostatistics, which will continue to grow during my time here."
