1. Could you please share a short background about yourself?
My family immigrated from Lebanon to the United States near the end of the Lebanese Civil War. Currently, I work full time for the Arab American Community Health and Research Center in the infectious disease program with a primary focus on HIV and PrEP implementation. I also serve on the board of an LGBTQ Middle Eastern nonprofit group and in the Michigan Army National Guard as a civilian soldier.
2. How is your experience with the program so far?
The online Master of Public Health program at Kent State University is very tailored to help prepare students to become a public health professional in the future. The courses are well organized, and the professors are well versed to teach the courses.
3. What has been your favorite part of the program? Do you have a favorite course?
All of the courses are very interesting and provide a unique outlook into the different aspects of public health. Since I had worked in direct services before starting this program, I now understand the bigger picture of public health, the organization of public health, and the funding sources and legal grounds for public health law.
My favorite course thus far has been Biostatistics in Public Health, because I love being able to quantify data and look at trends and correlations to better prepare programming for the future.
4. What made you choose to study online for your MPH?
I could not afford to quit my job to work on an MPH program. As a member of the military, I travel often and could not attend traditional courses. The online MPH faculty have been very supportive of my military obligations and work with me when I must attend trainings.
5. Would you recommend this program?
I not only recommend this program, I believe it should be a requirement for all future public health professionals and leaders. Working in the field, you learn to master your specific role in public health. The online MPH program opens your mind to the entire public health system, so you can understand why your role exists and many of the required policies associated with your profession.
6. What are your career plans after you graduate with your master's?
After graduating, I would like to become a public health officer in the Air Force Reserve, and a public health officer requires an MPH degree from a CEPH-accredited school. I also hope to provide consulting services to nonprofit organizations.
Interested in learning more? Hear from current student Jann K., or take a look at the possibilities of a public health career to find out what you can do with an MPH.