Protect Public Health Science! Support SCU Public Health Students Today!
Here in SCU’s Department of Public Health, we are responding to the recent threats to Public Health by redoubling our efforts to educate the next generation of public health changemakers.
While we are currently witnessing cuts to Public Health funding, research, prevention programs, and health communications, Public Health students are working hard to acquire the skills and knowledge to take on the many pressing public health challenges of our time - from pandemic outbreaks to chronic diseases and mental health inequities.
Now more than ever, we are guided by our commitments to building the core competencies of resilience, communication, leadership and policy advocacy amongst our students. These competencies are central to SCU’s Public Health training - and were specifically defined as necessary for combatting mistrust of Public Health institutions and health disinformation by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health and the American Public Health Association.
Public Health students Hydeia Wysinger, Sydney Shelby and Roberto Mercado participate in SCU’s Stand Up For Science event as part of the national event on March 7, 2025. Over 200 students, faculty and staff showed up to show their support for science.
This year, I am proud to report that seventy SCU Public Health students will begin their professional careers. Some of these will move into jobs offered by internship organizations, some will start graduate training at prestigious universities across the country, and more. All SCU Public Health graduates leave our campus with key skills relevant for promoting physical health and wellbeing in a wide range of sectors: including strategic problem-solving, critical analysis, and effective communication.
To support all of this activity, I am thrilled to announce that we will welcome two new faculty to Public Health this fall: Associate Professor Dr. Paul Gilbert, an expert in alcohol and substance use treatment and recovery, and Assistant Professor Natasha Glendenning, whose research focuses on global health and infectious diseases.
Today, you have the power to impact our students’ lives through the transformative experience that is their Public Health education! Your gift strengthens our community by funding internship opportunities that provide hands-on learning, scholarships to present at Public Health conferences, leadership opportunities and more.
Public Health has always been adaptable to change and resilient in the face of challenges. We need our students - and your help - more than ever!
With Gratitude,
Sonja Mackenzie
Chair and Professor, Public Health Department
| Rank | State | Gifts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CA | 8 |
| 2 | NY | 1 |
| 3 | AA | 0 |
