Student Contributors

Olivia is a sophomore at Indiana University, from the small Southern Indiana town of Owensville. She is an Apparel Merchandising major, also minoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, and working on a Certificate in Business Foundations. Olivia works in the School of Public Health Student Services Office of Career Services assisting her peers on their journey from hard working students to the real working world. She applied to work here for her work component as a Jesse H. and Beulah Chanley Cox Legacy Scholar because she has a passion for helping others and introducing others to amazing opportunities. Olivia is also involved in the Retail Studies Organization, as the Co-Director of Forums, IUCHAARG and Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity here at IU. In her free time she enjoys trying any and every type of food, painting, and spending time with friends and family.

Aleia is a second year Master of Public Health student with a dual concentration in Behavioral, Social, and Community Health, as well as Public Health Administration. She earned a B.S. in Health Studies from the University of Rhode Island with a concentration in health program. Aleia focuses on bridging the gaps between generations through intervention design and policy reformation, emphasizing the need for self-care and wellness. Currently, she is a GA at The Graduate Mentoring Center, a member of the Black Graduate Student Association and MPH Assembly. She enjoys reading fiction and comic books in addition to writing and performing poetry in her free time. Aleia is excited to be a part of the Career Services Team as the Student Services Assistant and looks forward to achieving her goals.

Taylor is a junior at Indiana University studying Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management. She is originally from Plainfield, Indiana, where she graduated early allowing her to be a semester ahead in her college work as well. Taylor is the Vice President for the Student Event Planners Association – IU Bloomington Chapter, a member of the Professional Tourism Management Club, as well as a supervisor at IMU Catering. She applied to become a student ambassador because she wants to become more connected to the School of Public Health and its students. In her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with her friends and family and being outdoors.

Jake is a Junior from Zionsville, Indiana. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University during his freshman year to play collegiate soccer. He is currently working on his Bachelors Degree in Public Health with a major in Sport Marketing and Management and a double minor through the Kelley School of Business in Business and Marketing. In addition to being a Student Ambassador in the School of Public Health, Jake is a Student Ambassador for the MAPLA Law School Caravan, serving as a representative of Indiana University for visiting law school representatives. He is also a member of the Sport Marketing Alliance Club at Indiana University. After he graduates Indiana University, he plans on attending law school and receiving his J.D.  In his free time, Jake enjoys playing soccer, watching movies, traveling, and volunteering at the Humane Society.

Victoria is a Junior from Indianapolis, Indian, studying Safety Management with a minor in Business. She is a Group Scholar and a 21st Century Scholar. Victoria entered the School of Public Health in 2017 once she decided safety management was for her. She became a Student Ambassador because she wants to be more involved with helping students. In addition to being a Student Ambassador, she is a member of the Women of Color Leadership Institute and the American Society of Safety Professionals. She also mentors prospective students through Indiana University’s Community and School Partnerships. In her free time, she loves traveling and trying new food. After graduation, she plans to work in the general industry sector of safety. In the future, working with her creative side, she hopes to open her own business in the beauty industry.

Kirsten graduated from Eastern High School in Pekin, Indiana in 2016 and joined Student Ambassadors in the fall of 2017. She has loved IU all her life and dreamed of coming here from the time she visited on a school trip in 8th grade. She is majoring in Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management. With this degree she hopes to work as a cruise director on the Disney Cruise Lines. She has experience in theme parks and food service, both involved in her major and public health. In her free time, she shares laughs with her campus comedy group Ladies’ Night Comedy.

Danielle is a Senior from Indianapolis, Indiana, studying Environmental Health with minors in Chemistry and Spanish. She joined the School of Public Health’s Student Ambassador Program in the fall of 2016. In addition to being a Student Ambassador, she is a member of the IU Minority Association of Premedical Students serving as the fundraising chair, and a member of Alpha Chi Sigma, a professional chemistry fraternity. After she graduates from Indiana University, she hopes to attend medical school. In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling and trying new food.

Mackenzie is a second year Master of Public Health student with a concentration in Professional Health Education. Mackenzie recently joined the SPH Student Ambassador team and is excited to lead peers through career orientations, resume critiques, and networking events. She holds a B.S. in Communication Disorders and Health Science with additional coursework in Psychology and pre-medical sciences from Truman State University, a small but mighty liberal arts college in Kirksville, Missouri. During her undergraduate experience, Mackenzie was active in her Panhellenic sorority, co-ed a cappella choir, and respective academic departments. Here in Bloomington, Mackenzie has become a member of the MPH Assmebly, IU Swim Club, and the Bloominton Area Running Association. Her professional vision is to shift the medical perspective of disability from disease to identity through an emphasis on cultural awareness and strategic communication.

Sami is a senior from Crown Point, Indiana, studying Exercise Science with minors in Psychology and Fitness Instruction. She joined the Student Ambassador team in the fall of 2017. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. She is also a member of Indiana University Dance Marathon where she is a member of the Stewardship Committee, and she is also a member of the Physical Therapy Club. After graduating from Indiana University, Sami hopes to continue her education on one of the coasts studying physical therapy in hopes of becoming a physical therapist and opening up her own practice.

Meredith grew up in South Bend, Indiana and came to Bloomington in 2015. She is currently a Senior working toward her Bachelors in Public Health with majors in both Community Health and Epidemiology. She joined the School of Public Health Student Ambassador’s program in the fall of 2016, when she also joined Peer Health and Wellness Educators at the IU Health Center. She works in the office and around campus giving out information about sexual health, tobacco cessation, and nutrition. In her free time, Meredith enjoys going to the beach, reading, watching Netflix, and watching Notre Dame football games with her friends.

Megan is a senior from Zionsville, Indiana studying Community Health with a minor in Spanish. She is looking forward to engaging with students, faculty, and guests that make up the School of Public Health community. In her free time, she enjoys blogging, crafting, and exploring the Hoosier state.

Delany Liter joined the Student Ambassador team in fall 2017. She is a junior majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Medical Sciences and wants to eventually attend physical therapy school. In addition to being a Student Ambassador, she is a peer leader for The Body Project, a member of Phi Mu sorority, and is involved in undergraduate research. In her free time, Delany likes to travel and spend time with friends and family.

Lauren is a sophomore pursuing a dual degree in Neuroscience and Human Development and Family Studies with minors in Spanish and Psychology. In the future, she plans to attend medical school and explore careers within pediatric neurology. On campus, she is involved in School of Public Health Student Government, Union Board, the CommUNITY Education program, the IU auditorium ushers, Eta Sigma Gamma-Nu (National Professional Health Science Honorary), and Sigma Alpha Pi (National Society of Leadership and Success). She is passionate about health advocacy and equality, diversity and inclusion, and identifying/creating opportunities for student personal and professional development. If you are interested in any of these areas or are seeking resume help, internship/work/volunteering opportunities, or service within the School of Public Health, visit her in the SPH Student Services Suite during office hours from 10:00-12:00 every Friday.

Haley grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana and attended R. Nelson Snider High School. She is currently an undergraduate student majoring in Epidemiology at the Indiana University School of Public Health and minoring in Business through the Kelley School of Business. Haley is a member of multiple science-related programs at IU including the ICP STEM organization, The Minority Association of Premedical Students, and MedLife. She is also an avid member at her church, Messiah Lutheran Church, in Fort Wayne. With her church, she has traveled as a missionary to multiple domestic and international cities. Haley is interested in the prevention of HIV/AIDS as well as the Opioid Crisis and hopes to help educate those who have or are at risk of these public health conditions in the future.

Lily is from South Bend, IN, more commonly known as Notre Dame. Her love for living in a college town brought her to Bloomington as a freshman in 2015. She joined the Student Ambassador team last fall. She is currently pursuing her BS in Community Health, with minors in Spanish and Global Health Promotion. While studying within the School of Public Health, Lily is also working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for the Biosafety and Infectious Disease Training Initiative, an NIEHS funded training program consisting of a consortium of Universities, including IU. Lily continues to learn from her coursework and the peers she surrounds herself with, while also involving herself in the Bloomington community itself.

MacKenzie is a Senior from Elkhart, Indiana, working towards her Bachelors Degree in Public Health with a major in Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology. MacKenzie joined the School of Public Health’s Student Ambassador Program in the fall of 2016. In addition to being a Student Ambassador, she is a member of the STEM outreach program which teaches Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to elementary students in Bloomington. She also is the Campaigns Coordinator for GlobeMed, which works to address health inequities in impoverished communities and to promote education about global health issues. MacKenzie works as a Solutions Engineer for Ciren Group, Inc. After she graduates from Indiana University, she hopes to continue her education at Indiana University School of Medicine. In her free time, MacKenzie enjoys playing card games, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Alec is a senior at Indiana University Bloomington. He attended Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, which is located in his hometown, before transferring to IU-Bloomington. He is currently majoring in Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management and minoring in Marketing. He has had work experience on campus within Residential Program Services (RPS) and Recreational Sports. During his time at IU, he has been selected to be on the Dean’s List in SPH, “Male Official of the Year”, and a resident assistant in Eigenmann Hall. Personality, leadership skills, hard-work ethic, and enthusiasm are all key personal traits that he embodies. He is also an avid sports fan who cheers on the Hoosiers, Colts, Cubs, and Pacers. Alec is passionate about this university and the School of Public Health; he looks forward to assisting current, incoming, or prospective students.

Jordan is a first-year Master of Public Health student from Michigan with concentrations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Jordan recently joined the SPH Student Ambassador team and is looking forward to promoting the SPH Office of Career Services and helping other students through resume critiques. She earned her B.A. in Biology with a minor in Psychology from Adrian College, a small liberal arts school, in Adrian, Michigan. Jordan’s professional goal is to work as an Epidemiologist for the Center for Disease Control conducting research on infectious or developmental diseases. During her undergraduate years, Jordan was actively involved in all sorts of things on campus from cross country and track and field to her Panhellenic sorority and the pre-health professions society. She was drawn to Indiana University to pursue her Master’s degree because of its beauty and sense of community she can easily find anywhere. At IU, she has become a member of the MPH assembly and enjoys checking out workout classes through IU Recreational Sports.

Shyam is a junior from Valparaiso, Indiana, studying Epidemiology with minors in Healthcare Policy, Economics, and Statistics. He joined the Student Ambassador team in the fall of 2018. Shyam conducts health economics research through SPEA and the School of Public Health, looking at how various economic indicators and activities impact population health. His current research interests include the opioid epidemic and the effects of healthcare reform on prescription drug utilization. In addition to being a Student Ambassador, he is an undergraduate teaching assistant for the medical sciences department and a member of Circle K at Indiana University. In his free time, Shyam enjoys hiking, reading, and drinking coffee.

Erika is a senior from Indianapolis majoring in Community Health with a minor in Nutrition. She is also a Hudson and Holland Scholar. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling, and trying new places to eat. In the future she would like to work with children and families as a health advocate, focusing on nutrition.

Brittany is from Arlington Heights, IL, a northwest suburb of Chicago. She loves to go into the city and enjoys time with her family and four dogs when home. During her first visit to IU, she fell in love and knew it was the school for her. She joined the SPH Student Ambassadors in the fall of 2018 and is currently a senior studying Community Health with a minor in Nutrition. She loves all things food and nutrition related. In her free time, she loves to cook and is always looking for new recipes and restaurants to try. She is looking forward to joining the Student Ambassador team and can’t wait to enjoy all the perks that Bloomington has to offer in her last year at IU.

Nik is a junior majoring in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Counseling. She is Haitian-Dominican and speaks three languages: Creole, French, and English. She loves to travel and learn about different cultures. After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree, she plans to attend law school to study family law. For now, she is looking forward to being a part of the Student Ambassador team and participating in the various events they will be hosting.

Christine is a senior from Logansport, Indiana. She is working toward a Bachelors Degree in Public Health majoring in Exercise Science and minoring in Psychology. In addition to being a Student Ambassador, she is involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana, works as a Promotions Chair for Timmy Global Health, and is a Research Assistant in a Developmental Psychology lab. After graduation, she plans to continue her education by attending medical school. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drinking coffee,  traveling, and spending time with friends.

Gabby is a sophomore at Indiana University. She is from the small town of Morocco in Northwest Indiana. As a direct admit to the School of Public Health, Gabby is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with minors in Public Health and Spanish while also following the pre-med track. She is a Mentor for the School of Public Health LLC in Read. Gabby is looking forward to having a great year as a student ambassador and representing her school.

Alyssa is a senior from Brownsburg, Indiana, and working towards her Bachelors in Public Health with a major in Community Health and minors in Global Health Promotion, and Human Development and Family Studies. She joined the School of Public Health Student Ambassador’s program in the fall of 2016. In addition to being a Student Ambassador, she is a member of Timmy Global Health which provides students with opportunities to learn and fight health disparities locally and abroad. In her free time, Alyssa likes to travel, hike, eat plenty of food, watch Netflix, volunteer, and spend time with her family and friends. 

Cierra is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology. She is a member of both the Hudson & Holland and 21st Century Scholars Programs. She is an Executive Board Member for the IU Bloomington Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success and volunteers with the Women of Color Leadership Institute and Impact Academy.