School of Public Health student Sierra Wilson-Beckman recently received an Emerging MCH Graduate Student Scholarship from the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP). The competitive scholarship is open to all graduate students in their final year of an MCH program with previous experience working in Title V programs, which are state initiatives designed to ensure the health of mothers, women, children, and youth.

The scholarship sponsors Wilson-Beckman’s travel and attendance to the AMCHP annual conference in Washington D.C. this April.

“I would not be able to attend the conference without the scholarship and it’s great to be recognized as someone who can make an impact,” says Wilson-Beckman. She said the chance to attend the conference provides her with great opportunities to meet other professionals working in maternal and child health from all over the country, learn about innovative programs and research, and expand her view of the field.

“I’m very passionate about healthy pregnancies and early child development, and I like being able to work with children and families to give them the best start possible,” says Wilson-Beckman.

Wilson-Beckman is pursuing professional training in the maternal and child health program with a graduate minor in integrative therapies and healing practices. She also works for the Minnesota Department of Health as the health educator for the agency’s Children and Youth with Special Health Needs section, which is funded in part by a Title V block grant.