Strengthening Connections: Atlanta Alumni and Students Gathering

A lunch event in Atlanta for alumni from the Zuckerman College of Public Health, held on the same weekend as the 2025 Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Annual Conference in Atlanta, brought together alumni, college leadership, and students to connect and share ideas for the future of public health.

The Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH) hosted a special alumni lunch in Atlanta that brought together a vibrant community of alumni, students, faculty, and staff. The gathering, held in conjunction with the 2025 Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) conference, provided a unique and casual setting for attendees to reconnect, share experiences, and forge new relationships.

Lunch Event: Public Health Wildcats Connect

Dean Hakim, alongside students, alumni, faculty, and staff, warmly welcomed guests to the event. The relaxed atmosphere fostered genuine conversations and an open exchange of ideas. Alumni reconnected with former Teaching Assistants and classmates, recalled their shared experiences in public health courses, and reminisced about their time at MEZCOPH.

The lunch also highlighted exciting new opportunities for alumni engagement, introduced through the college's revamped Alumni Website.  Staff shared the Alumni Engagement Interest Form encouraging alumni to take an active role in supporting the next generation of public health leaders. Those interested in mentoring students, hosting internships, or guest lecturing were invited to fill out the form.

Additionally, the 25 for 25 Alumni Giving Circle initiative was introduced, a special campaign marking the 25th Anniversary of the Zuckerman College of Public Health. The initiative invites alumni to celebrate this significant milestone by contributing $100 each to the Alumni Giving Circle before Homecoming. The goal is to bring together 25 alumni from each of several cities across the nation to help ensure the continued success and growth of the College.

Those who joined the lunch event left with new connections, valuable advice, and a renewed sense of purpose in their public health endeavors.

College participates in the 2025 Consortium of Universities for Global Health Conference

Several of the faculty, staff, and students who attended the lunch event were in Atlanta for the at the 2025 Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Annual Conference, held February 20-23. This year’s CUGH theme, "Innovating and Implementing in Global Health for a Sustainable Future," convened global health leaders, researchers, and students to explore innovative solutions, collaborative initiatives, and pressing global health challenges.

Several staff, faculty, students, and alumni from the Zuckerman College of Public Health showcased their research and initiatives through poster presentations, including:

The conference also emphasized the importance of training the next generation of global health researchers through a featured session on the NIH-Fogarty Global Health Program for Fellows and Scholars / Launching Future Leaders in Global Health Research Training Program (LAUNCH). The Global Health Emerging Scholars (GHES) Program, led by PI Dr. Purnima Madhivanan and Program Manager Roxanna Apaez for the college, was prominently featured in discussions on advancing global health research training and fostering international collaborations.

The event provided an invaluable opportunity to strengthen partnerships, exchange knowledge, and highlight MEZCOPH’s leadership in global health education and research. Faculty, alumni, and students engaged in dynamic discussions, furthering collaborations that will shape the future of global health initiatives.

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