What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

I completed my undergrad at the UMN and enjoyed my time on campus and felt that this would be a great place to stay for grad school, especially because of the diversity within the Twin Cities, the relationship between the SPH and local health departments, and the fact that the school is one of the top in the country.

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

It can feeling daunting but don’t hesitate to reach out to your professors if you have questions. In my experience, my graduate level professors are a lot more supportive than ones I had in undergrad and they are truly supportive and want to see you succeed and can help guide you in the right direction.

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

I have a few different areas that I am invested in, but they all revolve around the public health and mental health of Indigenous populations, especially Indigenous youth. I am Bdewakantunwan (Spirit Lake Dwellers) Dakota from the Lower Sioux Indian Community in southwestern MN, and I felt like the Community Health Promotion at UMN SPH would be the best way to combine my interests with my educational and cultural background.

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

I would recommend finding activities that fulfill and ground you outside of school. I came to graduate school straight from undergrad, and I have been realizing that I have a similar amount of time to lean into my interests beyond coursework. I have a research position with a project I am passionate about and have been taking time to explore Minneapolis and my new neighborhood, and it makes the balance between school and work and personal life so much more manageable.

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

I came to the School of Public Health because of its great reputation in the field of Public Health. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from many renowned professors and researchers here. Initially, I was also attracted to the School of Public Health because of the different job opportunities around the Twin Cities campus like the Department of Health, many notable biotechnology companies, and even the University itself. I am also originally from Minnesota and love living in the Twin Cities area. I really enjoy how accessible the cities are for biking and that there are many lakes and parks nearby.

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

I did my undergrad here at the U of M and love living in the Twin Cities, and knew doing an MPH at the UMN SPH would allow me to work at the Minnesota Department of Health as I figure out where in environmental health and infectious disease I want to concentrate long-term. I like the variety of backgrounds and experiences my classmates bring with them to class!

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

You have to head up to the north shore (highway 61 between Duluth and Grand Portage) — in every season, it’s a beautiful place to visit.

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

I chose UMN SPH because of its great academics and emphasis on health equity. After exploring more about the Environmental Health program, I thought it would be a great fit. I have enjoyed getting to know my classmates and professors, and learning about the diverse areas of research within SPH and Environmental Health.

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

My interest in public health was sparked during the pandemic when I became more passionate about infectious disease epidemiology and population health statistics. The Environmental Health MPH program allowed me to combine these interests with my science and statistics background. Through SPH, I’ve broadened my knowledge of public health issues and have connected with students and professors who value the Twin Cities community and helping others. I enjoy how collaborative the SPH courses are because I’ve also learned from my fellow students and their experiences to inform my public health perspective.

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

Familiarize yourself with the Health Sciences Education Center, Moos Tower, and Phillips-Wangensteen Buildings. Many of the SPH courses are taught in these buildings, and especially in the winter months, knowing how to navigate between them quickly will be extremely helpful. The Health Sciences Education Center is also a great place to study. There are many study spots, reservable rooms, and a sizeable quiet-study space. Also, get to know your advisor! They are an excellent resource for all things SPH, career development, and Applied Practice questions.

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

I’m originally from Minnesota and I am lucky enough to attend a top school of public health in my home state.

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

Get to know your professor’s research and interests. Making connections early will be beneficial as you complete your degree requirements.

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

After doing some boots-on-the-ground environmental advocacy work for a few years through AmeriCorps, I knew I wanted to pursue Environmental Health because of the need for solutions at the intersection of population and planetary health. I chose the School of Public Health because of its national reputation, the courses offered by the Environmental Health Sciences program, and the values of the school aligning with my own. What I like the most about SPH is the sense of collaboration. In addition to being experts in their fields, the professors and staff want to get to know you and your interests and help you reach your goals.

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

Try to do one new thing every week! If it’s taking a day trip to Stillwater, seeing a show at First Avenue, or just going to a new coffee shop, the Twin Cities have so much to offer. It’s so easy to get stuck in your own world of school and work, but getting out into the city and connecting with the community often helps give me perspective.

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

I chose this program because we have great faculty and curriculum, and I also liked the amount of student job opportunities in the area that have allowed me to gain experience in public health. What I love most about being a student here is being able to connect with professors and students that all have a passion for public health.

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

Utilize office hours to get help when you need it! Our professors want us to succeed, and it’s also a great opportunity to connect with them and learn about their career/professional experiences.

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

The reputation of the University of Minnesota’s academics was very appealing, but also the sense of community between all of their students motivated me to come to School of Public Health. I really like the excitement and dedication of everyone in SPH to learn and grow in their field.

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

Take Marta Shore’s Biostatistics I class! She is a happy, understanding, and talented professor. The way she structures and teaches her class makes it a lot more manageable to learn complicated topics.

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

The School of Public Health’s reputation as a strong research institution and leader in equity work drew me to this program. During my time as a student so far, the program is absolutely living up to my expectations! The instructors are incredibly knowledgable and passionate about teaching the content.

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

Print out a sheet of your weekly recurring assignments/expectations for each class, so it’s easy to see everything you need to do all in one place. Reach out to your peers to create study groups for your harder courses, even meet on Zoom to make it easy! It will help keep you accountable.

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

I came to the School of Public Health initially because of the coordinated nutrition and dietetics program. After doing further research into what the school has to offer, I decided to completely change course! After doing my undergraduate degree here, I felt very comfortable at the university and confident that I could succeed at a school with great academic reputation. As an SPH student, I appreciate how welcoming and supportive the staff and other students have been as a first year. It feels like everyone involved in your degree truly cares about your success as a student and your well being away from the classroom.

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

My first tip would be to utilize the resources around campus! The U provides so many academic and mental/physical health resources, you just have to take the first step. Another tip would be to truly explore the city of Minneapolis on and off campus. If you are new to the area, there is so much to do close by that can make the city feel more like home!

What brought you to SPH and what do you like about being an SPH student?

One tip you have for new students? (favorite classes, favorite places on or off campus, resources to utilize, other suggestions, etc.)

Switch your mindset from “pass the test, get the grade, graduate” to “I want to become in expert in this”. In my undergrad, I was focused on getting good grades and finishing with a high GPA than actually learning something. As a graduate student, it’s important to integrate ideas and connect ideas in order to have a better understanding of the material rather than trying to cram the information and then forgetting the information.