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Meet Our Students

Cristina Castellanos

Major: Public Health / Minor: Nutritional Science

Why choose public health/What’s awesome about Public Health?

I love the versatility of public health and how it allows for you to choose what path you want to take in health. I was passionate about wanting to go into health care and clinical practice, but I was worried that I would end up not liking the major I wanted or not being able to get the major I wanted. With public health, I was able to explore the many ways I can become involved in health and learn how multidisciplinary it was in case I wanted to focus on a different perspective of health.

Why choose the UA/What’s awesome about the UA?

I was born and raised in Tucson, and I have come to known the U of A as my home so I always thought of myself as a wildcat from the start. Once I started to apply for colleges, I felt as if the U of A was the best option as they always provide a sense of community among students and faculty where I have gotten to know new people and have connections to the people I knew before.

Annette Chavez Save

Major: Public Health and Pre-Nursing/ Minors: Business Administration and French

Why choose public health/What’s awesome about Public Health?

I chose public health because it allows me to positively impact the world's health through many different implementation methods. Public health is so broad and meets many different fields. You get to see health from different perspectives and learn of a wide range of issues in variety settings that the world faces.

Why choose the UA/What’s awesome about the UA?

I chose UA because I felt so welcomed and supported by the faculty. The UA has many available resources for students, big school spirit, and extracurriculars and involvements for all students. There are amazing opportunities for personal and professional development.

Reagan Dunn

Reagan Dunn

Major: Public Health / Minor: Psychology

Why choose public health/What’s awesome about Public Health?

Public Health is so versatile and gives me a big-picture perspective of health. There were also a number of emphases to fit my individual interest. I love how supportive and passionate everyone involved in MEZCOPH is!

Why choose the UA/What’s awesome about the UA?

I chose the University of Arizona because of the vast educational opportunities available as well as the potential to get involved in a variety of clubs. I also liked the warm weather, palm trees, and the school spirit!

Emily Forysiak

Emily Forysiak

Major: Public Health / Minors: Biochemistry & Government and Public Policy

Why choose public health/What’s awesome about Public Health?

I believe that Public Health is a great career path because it is so prevalent. Public health is important because it has so many ties into different fields. To name a few, public health can be incorporated in medicine, education, policy, etc. Public health truly focuses on prevention in order to make differences in communities. 

Why choose the UA/What’s awesome about the UA?

I think that University of Arizona is an amazing school! The environment is so friendly and open. The people truly make it worth your while. University of Arizona has strong ties to the Tucson community, and it gives such a close knit feel. 

Morgan Houlihan

Major: Public Health

Why choose public health/What’s awesome about Public Health?

I chose Public Health I've always known I wanted to go into a STEM field and knew that as a part of my career goals, I wanted the ability to help people. Luckily, MEZCOPH has given me the opportunity to find a field that I truly enjoy with a wide variety of options for students within the program.

Why choose the UA/What’s awesome about the UA?

Being from the midwest, I knew I wanted to get out of the cold weather. When I was first looking into UA 3 years ago, I was immediately in love and knew that it was going to be the place for me. The University of Arizona is truly a great school and I'm grateful for everything it has to offer.

Dylan Ibarra

Major: Public Health / Minor: Psychology

Why choose public health/What’s awesome about Public Health?

I choose public health as there is a wide variety of careers you can get into. I have always been interested in healthcare and administration, and public health has the best of worlds. Additionally, being involved in the Mel and Enid College of Public Health gives you so many opportunities to get involved in.

Why choose the UA/What’s awesome about the UA?

UA was not my first choice. However, I ultimately decided to come to UA as it was closer to home and has a very diverse population. The community here at the university is very welcoming and friendly.

Sage Liu

Majors: Public Health & Physiology & Medical Science

Why choose public health/What’s awesome about Public Health?

Public health allows me to learn more about health and healthcare than I could with any other program. While still heading towards medical school, I get to learn about healthcare disparities, healthcare systems, and health at a population level. 

Why choose the UA/What’s awesome about the UA?

The University of Arizona is very welcoming, including both faculty and students. There are endless opportunities, clubs, and seminars to help you progress toward the future you deserve.

Braydon Mathis

Majors: Public Health and Biochemistry

Why choose public health/What’s awesome about Public Health?

Public Health is a major that is involved in every facet of health and wellness! There are a variety of opportunities and experiences that come with being involved in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and every student gets to forge their own path towards helping society. Now more than ever our major has been at the forefront of history and its time that you come along with us!

Why choose the UA/What’s awesome about the UA?

The University of Arizona is a school like no other, it has something for literally everyone. The campus is lively and full of dedicated students working to create a better tomorrow! I honestly couldn't think of a better place to grow into the person that you want to become.

Nadine Negrette

Nadine Negrete

Major: Public Health / Minor: Psychology

Why choose public health/What’s awesome about Public Health?

I chose public health because there is a such a wide variety of paths to go down, whether that be related to health advocacy, medicine, nursing, environment, etc. I feel that if you are looking to get a community perspective on healthcare and our current system, then public health is the perfect choice. Understanding health from this outlook truly gives such an edge in the professional world, as many healthcare workers focus solely on direct patient care.

Why choose the UA/What’s awesome about the UA?

UA was not my first choice, but I ultimately chose it because it was close enough to family but still far away. Originally my plan was to study out of the country, but I realized UA could offer me the same option to study abroad and additionally get a great education on top of that. I loved our public health program as well as the multiple options for clubs there was .

Allison Sarko

Major: Public Health / Minor: Biochemistry

Why choose public health/What’s awesome about Public Health?

I chose public health because it allows me to learn so much more about health and wellness, like the implementation of programs and the politics behind them as well. Public health has great versatility and can be geared towards so many professions in today's world.

Why choose the UA/What’s awesome about the UA?

The University of Arizona is far enough from home but still feels close. The campus has a great vibe where everybody is so friendly and wanting to learn and grow. Everyone I've met is so helpful and nice, and there are so many opportunities to get involved with anything. There are also many great things to do within Tucson.

Khadija Sawayz

Major: Public Health / Minor: Pre-Health Thematic

Why choose public health/What’s awesome about Public Health?

I chose public health because it gives me a variety of different career fields I can go into and still make an impact in health care. Public health careers can vary from health administration, health policy to health education and I love this range of different paths. Additionally, public health gives me the holistic and community view of healthcare, and combined with my pre-health minor where it is more clinical and science based, it allows me to grow into a well rounded health professional.

Why choose the UA/What’s awesome about the UA?

I love the campus and faculty at UA! The UA campus is such a welcoming campus, and the faculty is always willing to support its students to succeed. UA has something for everyone, and there are so many resources that ensure UA students reach their goals.

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