Student Contributors

Wes is a Senior at Indiana University from Nashville, TN. A direct admit into the School of Public Health, Wes is finishing up his Bachelor’s degree in Sport Marketing and Management and is pursuing minor’s in both Business Management and Marketing from the Kelley School of Business. Additionally, Wes will be receiving Honor’s Notation from the Hutton Honors College after completing rigorous coursework through Hutton for four years. Upon graduation, Wes is interested in pursuing a career related to ticket and sponsorship sales in sport. His work experience includes working for companies such as Vector Marketing, HCA Healthcare, SponsorUnited, and working as a bartender at a local bar in Bloomington. He is excited to be a part of the Student Ambassador Program and help students with whatever they need!

Feven Araya is a junior 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.

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.

Kamilah is a senior majoring in Community Health with a minor in Human Sexuality. She is an enthusiastic student who loves to focus on the health and wellness of her peers and her community! After securing her bachelor’s degree, Kamilah plans on going into STD prevention for the senior community. For now, Kamilah is focused on helping her peers become better students during their time at Indiana University and being a great Student Ambassador to ensure all students get the quality information and help that they need to succeed!

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.

Nanyamka “Naya” Day, is a senior from Indianapolis, IN. She is majoring in Human Development and Family Studies, on the pre-medical track. She is eager to work as a Student Ambassador in the School of Public Health because she wants to help other students improve their chances for professional opportunities. She is also a volunteer in her home community at Second Helpings Community Kitchen. Upon graduation, Naya hopes to be admitted into medical school and continue on her path of becoming a physician. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, dancing, and serving her community. In the meantime, she hopes to better the lives of individuals in need, assist students to excel in their college career, and successfully move forward in pursuit of her future career.

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!

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. 

Megan Jacobs is currently a senior from South Bend, Indiana, with a major in Epidemiology and minors in Obesity & Health, and Kinesiology. Megan strives to attend graduate school to obtain a Master’s in Public Health with a focus in Epidemiology, such that she can do fieldwork in underserved areas of the world. She joined the Student Ambassadors team in the spring of 2019. On-campus, she is involved with a leadership position in her sorority and working at Rush Bowls. In her free time, Megan enjoys going to the gym, reading, finding races to participate in, and going to IU sporting events with her friends.

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.

Paul is a second-year Master of Public Health student concentrating in Environmental Health. He hails from the great state of New Jersey but has spent the last few years in the DC area following his Undergraduate tenure at the University of Maryland College Park. Paul loves to talk professional development shop, whether it’s diving into cover letters, punching up CVs, or prepping for informational interviews. Paul has experience in the non-profit and consulting fields serving state, federal, and military clients tackling issues ranging from the opioid crisis to the future of Navy medicine. Paul enjoys hiking, beach volleyball, language learning, and stand-up comedy, and is an aspiring salsero.

Gabby is a senior 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. Gabby is looking forward to having a great year as a student ambassador and representing her school.

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!

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.

Darien Pipkin is a senior from Indianapolis, IN, majoring in Community Health with a minor in Global Health Promotions. Darien has a passion for the health and the well-being of others. She is a Groups and 21^st Century Scholar. Darien is looking forward to her second year as an SPH Student Ambassador and hopes to share her passion for health with others while representing the School of Public Health and supporting student’s career-related needs.

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.

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.

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.”

Glorious Taylor is a senior from Northern Indiana majoring in Community Health, with minors in Global Health Promotion and Small Business Entrepreneurship. She enjoys sewing, fashion, helping people, and dancing. Her Public Health interests include Heart Disease and Diabetes. In the future, she plans to continue her education by pursuing a master’s degree. She is currently unsure about what she wants to do career-wise but is excited about the broad range of options available to her within the field of community health. She looks forward to being able to help students find their passion and to leave a lasting impact.

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.