Student Contributors

Olivia is a junior at Indiana University, from the small Southern Indiana town of Owensville. She is an Apparel Merchandising major, minoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and Business, 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.

Kaelen grew up in Toledo, Ohio and attended Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is currently a junior at Indiana University completing his undergraduate degree in the School of Public Health majoring in Sport Marketing & Management with a minor in Business through the Kelley School of Business. Kaelen is a member of the Sport Marketing Alliance at Indiana University and joined the Student Ambassador team in the fall of 2019. Upon completing his degree, Kaelen plans to work somewhere in professional sports. In his free time Kaelen enjoys participating in and talking about sports of all types, music, and hanging out with his friends. In the meantime, he looks forward to being part of the Student Ambassador team and helping himself and his peers grow professionally.

Kamilah is a junior 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!

Nanyamka “Naya” Day, is a junior 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 at 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.

Victoria is a Senior from Indianapolis, Indiana, 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.

Jennah is a freshman 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 sophomore 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 junior from South Bend, Indiana, with a major in Epidemiology and a minor in Obesity and Health. Megan strives to attend graduate school to obtain a Master’s in Public Health with a focus in Epidemiology, such that she can do field work 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 the football and basketball games with IU Event Services. 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.

Paul is a first-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 its 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.

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 currently studying abroad in Christchurch, New Zealand which has allowed her to participate in several of her favorite hobbies including hiking, outdoor sports, and being on the beach. While abroad, she has taken classes which will allow her to apply for the Doctorate of Audiology in the Fall of 2019. If you have any questions about how the School of Public Health can allow you to complete your degree while abroad, she is happy to answer!

Darien Pipkin is a junior from Indianapolis, IN, majoring in Community Health with minors in Epidemiology and 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 first 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.

Jordan is a second-year Master of Public Health student from Michigan with concentrations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Jordan joined the SPH Student Ambassador team as a first-year graduate student 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 senior 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.

Shannon is a freshman from Plainfield, Indiana. She is currently majoring in Nutrition Science and is very passionate about health and wellness. She is looking forward to being a student ambassador and representing the School of Public Health.

Nik is a senior 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.

Gabby is a junior 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.

Ganghui is a first-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.”

Cierra is a senior from Fort Wayne, Indiana, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology. She is a member of both the Hudson & Holland and 21st Century Scholars Programs, and was awarded the Vaught Scholarship through SPH in 2018. 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, Impact Academy, and Career Services. She is dedicated in pursuing her doctorate in Occupational Therapy where she plans to assist patients and help them grow as an individual. Later in life, she plans on using her new skills and knowledge to assist with animal therapy and mentoring young adults.