Meet our Students
Graduate Ambassador
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Makenna Thuringer
DrPh, Health Policy and Management
Volunteer in your community and embrace service-learning opportunities at the university! They may shape your future in ways you never expected. Stay curious, keep an open mind, and trust the journey. Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.
Ambassador Email
Makennathuringer@arizona.edu
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Hometown: Snohomish, WA
Why did you choose public health?
I chose public health because I wanted to understand the "why" behind health. Public health challenged me to think differently about healthcare, not by asking, "How do we treat disease?" but by asking, "Why does disease happen in the first place?" I was drawn to understanding the systems, policies, and social determinants that shape health outcomes and the opportunity to create meaningful, lasting change for entire communities. That's when I knew public health was the career I wanted to dedicate my life to.
Why did you choose MEZCOPH?
I chose MEZCOPH because of its Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program and Health Policy and Management concentration. From the moment I visited campus, I felt welcomed by the faculty, staff, and students, and I knew it was the right place to continue my education. The program's strong emphasis on leadership, community engagement, and applied public health aligned perfectly with the type of public health professional I aspire to become.
Public health interests:
preventing disease, improving systems, and making public health more accessible through policy, communication, and community engagement.
Interests/hobbies outside of school:
Travel, hiking, arts and crafts, community and campus engagement, and sporting events.