Student Contributors

Feven Araya is a senior from Indianapolis, Indiana. She is majoring in Community Health on the pre-Physician Assistant track. After completing her Bachelor’s degree, she is planning on going to graduate school. Some of her public health interests include pediatrics, global health, and health in diverse populations. As an SPH Ambassador, she hopes to show the various opportunities, careers, and resources that the IU School of Public has to offer.

Karis Balmer is a freshman from Sellersburg, Indiana. She is majoring in Epidemiology and on the premed track. In addition to being an Ambassador, Karis is involved in a service fraternity, is a member of a premed organization dedicated to minority students, is doing research through the Center of Excellence for Women and Technology, is the Academic Chair for the School of Public Health Student Government, and is involved with other campus organizations. After graduation, she hopes to be admitted into an MD/PhD program to further her background in medical sciences and healthcare. As a student ambassador, Karis wants to serve as a mentor and friend to students who need a little extra support to be as comfortable and successful as possible while at IU by sharing the opportunities that the school has to offer.

Brenna Bowlen is a junior from Southern California pursuing a major in Epidemiology and a minor in International Studies. As an SPH Student Ambassador, Brenna hopes to highlight the diversity of experience offered to undergraduate students in the SPH and the potential for collaboration between Indiana University’s many colleges and departments. She enjoys traveling and swimming and shares passions for global health and creative writing. Her professional goals include obtaining a doctorate in preventive medicine.

Abby is a sophomore at Indiana University, originally from Franklin, Indiana. She is pursuing a major in Epidemiology with a minor in Psychology. Upon completing her degree, Abby plans to attend graduate school with a concentration in Epidemiology. As an SPH Ambassador, she hopes to showcase the many opportunities and learning experiences the School of Public Health has to offer. In her free time, Abby enjoys hiking, going to the gym, baking, and spending time with her dogs. She looks forward to sharing her career path and helping students forge their own.

Georgia Gratz is a junior from Batesville Indiana. She is pursuing a major in Dietetics and a minor in personal well-being. Georgia is the health and wellness chair of her sorority and enjoys volunteering around the community. After college, Georgia is very excited to start working in the dietetics field as a registered dietician. She is excited to meet other students in the SPH and help them achieve their academic and career goals!

Jennah is a sophomore from Indianapolis, Indiana. As a direct admit into the School of Public Health, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. She also plans on potentially minoring in Chemistry. She plans on heading to medical school following receiving her undergraduate degree to become a pediatrician. This career is perfect for her as it combines her love for both healthcare and youth. She looks forward to her role as a student ambassador this year!

Candler is a junior at Indiana University from Portland, Indiana. He is majoring in Exercise Science, on the pre-Physical Therapy track. Upon graduation, Candler plans on pursuing a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. He is involved in the IU Marching Hundred, IU Physical Therapy Club, and regularly volunteers for community events. In his free time he enjoys exercising, playing instruments, and exploring the outdoors. As a student ambassador, he is looking forward to helping students reach their academic and professional goals.

Ryli Hockensmith is a junior from Southern Indiana majoring in Epidemiology and Community Health. Ryli loves being a part of organizations such as SPH Student Ambassadors and SPH Student Government to aid and learn from the wonderful faculty in promoting a welcoming and educational student environment here at IU. As the Academic Representative for Undergraduate Studies, Ryli aims to promote and advocate for the best academic, and student experience for undergraduates students in the SPH. She enjoys traveling, dancing, and eating all the delicious food Bloomington has to offer. In the future, she plans to obtain an MPH in Health Administration or Biostatistics, concentrating on the Opioid Crisis and Health Disparities in the United States of America. 

Emma Knox is a sophomore from Greenwood, Indiana.  She is majoring in Epidemiology and minoring in Data Science on a premed track. She hopes to one day work at the CDC as a field epidemiologist.  Emma is a member of Habitat for Humanity at IU and Timmy Global Health at IU.  She has participated in three research projects while at IU, two in SPH and one in Luddy.  In her free time, Emma enjoys reading, listening to music, volunteering, and spending time with her friends.  She looks forward to helping others find their place in SPH and make the most of their time at IU!

Sarah Larson is a part-time Master of Public Health student concentrating in Behavioral, Social & Community Health. Sarah is originally from Bloomington, IN and attended Purdue University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health Promotion. After graduation, Sarah relocated to Reno, NV to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA for a small bicycle nonprofit. After her service, she continued working for the nonprofit and worked part-time for the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Sarah moved back to Indiana and began the journey to graduate school, while balancing a full-time job at Indiana University. She took courses as a non-degree seeking student, then applied and was accepted to the MPH program. Sarah would like to use her experiences and knowledge to guide and encourage other nontraditional students interested in applying and attending graduate school. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling and competes in local, regional, and national bicycle races.

Dalton is a Sophomore at Indiana University from Indianapolis, IN pursuing a major in Sport Marketing and Management through the School of Public Health, and three minors in Business, Marketing, and Small Business Entrepreneurship through the Kelley School of Business. Dalton made the Dean’s list for each of his three semesters at IU thus far. He helped create content for the IU Wrestling team and hopes to eventually become part of the IU Football internship program. Upon graduation, Dalton is interested in pursuing a career within the front office of Collegiate/Pro Sports. His entrepreneurial aspiration is to create a media company that will produce content in several different formats for a broad spectrum of sports/events. Dalton is extremely excited to be a part of the Student Ambassador Program and is eager to help aspiring students achieve their dreams!

Lizzie McLinden is a junior at Indiana University from Michigan City, Indiana. She is majoring in Community Health and minoring in Spanish. In addition to being an ambassador, she is also involved in her sorority, intramural sports, and Pre-PA club. In the future, she hopes to attend Physician Assistant school with a concentration in general surgery. She looks forward to connecting with other students and helping them achieve their academic goals!

Grace is a sophomore at Indiana University from Crown Point, Indiana. She is pursuing a major in Sport Marketing and Management with two minors: Business through the Kelley School and Psychology. Grace will be the Program Assistant for Club Sports next year and is also involved in Best Buddies, a club dedicated to special needs students in the Bloomington community. She has been on the Dean’s list her past two semesters at IU.

Katie is a first-year Master of Public Health student concentrating in Parks and Recreation. She is from the Boston area and went to Colby College in Maine where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology – Neuroscience. She then completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston. She has worked as a physical therapist at an acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Chicago for the last five years. She loves playing sports, being active, and enjoying the outdoors. She decided to get an MPH from IU to combine her passions of health care and the outdoors and learn how to best facilitate improved participation and enjoyment in recreational activities and the parks for people with mobility impairments. She has experience working with students interested in applying to physical and occupational therapy schools as well as with students currently enrolled in these programs.

Karma Plaisance is currently a sophomore from Franklin, Indiana with a major in Epidemiology and a minor in Communication and Public Advocacy. Karma plans to attend graduate school to obtain a Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology. Her public health interests include violence prevention, substance abuse, and mental and sexual health. In her free time, Karma enjoys crocheting, hiking, going to the gym, and volunteering at her local nursing home. She looks forward to being able to help students find what they are passionate about and achieve their professional goals.

Ellen Roach is a Junior at IU, originally from Michigan City, Indiana. She has a major in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management and a double minor in Media and Creative Advertising and Human Resource Management. Ellen hopes to live in  New York City after college and have a job within the tourism industry. She has previous work experience in food and beverage, destination marketing organizations, and most recently, parks and recreation.

Karen Rodriguez is a junior from Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a first-generation student majoring in Exercise Science and minoring in Medical Sciences on a pre-Physical Therapy track. Upon graduation, Karen plans to pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She is a Hudson & Holland Scholar, Groups Scholar (G ‘19), and a 21st Century Scholar. She is involved in the IU Pre-PT club as well as a Mexican Folklore dance group called Ballet Folklorico de IU. In her free time, she loves to paint and go to the gym. As an SPH Student Ambassador, she hopes to encourage excellence in students and provide them with resources to support their academic and professional goals.

Jessica (Jessie) Schuster is a freshman at Indiana University from Cincinnati Ohio, who is majoring in exercise science and is also a Pre-Physical Therapy student. Upon graduation from IU, Jessie plans on earning her doctorate in Physical Therapy. Outside of being a Student Ambassador for the SPH, Jessie is also involved in the Physical Therapy club and the Student Athletic Board here at IU. In her free time, Jessie enjoys reading, working out, watching sports of any kind, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. Jessie is excited to learn more about the SPH and to help others in their path to success!

Hafsa Shabbir is a sophomore from Brownsburg, Indiana. She is majoring in Epidemiology on a pre-optometry track. In the future, she hopes to work in a non-profit organization to bring more awareness to global health eye care. Her public health interests include health disparities and disease prevention in developing nations. As a School of Public Health Ambassador, she hopes to share her experiences with prospective and current SPH students on achieving their goals

Annika grew up in Zionsville, Indiana and went to Zionsville Community High School. She is currently a junior at Indiana University completing her undergraduate degree in the School of Public Health majoring in Exercise Science on the Pre-PA track with a minor in Psychology. Upon completing her degree, Annika hopes to be admitted into PA school to continue her path of becoming a Physician Assistant.  In her free time, Annika enjoys working out and spending time with family and friends. In the meantime, she looks forward to being able to be apart of the Student Ambassador team and making a positive impact on other students to help them be successful in their future professional goals.

Shelby Stone is a Junior at IU from Chesterton, Indiana. She is majoring in Epidemiology with a double minor in Biology and Social Science and Medicine. Shelby plans on achieving her doctorate in Epidemiology after graduation. Currently, she works at the IU Health Bloomington Hospital as a lab technician in addition to being in a sorority and PA-club here on campus. Shelby is excited to help other students meet their academic goals and get more involved with the School of Public Health!

Ganghui is a second-year Master of Public Health student from Seoul, South Korea. He is currently studying two concentrations in Social, Behavioral, & Community Health, and Public Health Administration. He attended an international school in Uganda, and then came to IU for undergrad studies in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Ganghui also works as a Graduate Assistant in the School of Public Health. He says “I have always loved how IU campus was trying to include everyone in the school regardless of where you’re from, so I decided to help with that.”

Alexandra is a sophomore from Los Angeles, California. She is majoring in Tourism, hospitality, and event management and minoring in business and marketing. Outside of being an ambassador, she is also involved in her sorority, IU student foundation, and k201 peer tutoring. After college, she wants to work and gain experience in her field before obtaining her MBA or masters in hospitality administration. She is extremely excited about being a student ambassador and helping students succeed.