Minority Students for the Advancement of Public Health
Minority Students for the Advancement of Public Health (MSAPH) is a student organization with the UIC School of Public Health. The purpose of MSAPH is to strengthen the underrepresented student graduate experience by providing opportunities to build supportive networks and social bonding within the UIC community. MSAPH builds these networks through its meetings, events, and activities that focus on academic support, professional growth, peer networking, and community service.
Contact: uicmsaph@gmail.com
Visit us at 134 SPHPI.
Follow MSAPH's Instagram page @msaphatuic
Vision Heading link
Minority Students for the Advancement of Public Health has adopted the motto “Lifting As We Climb.” The motto represents out dedication to building a supportive system for students as we embark on our careers in public health. Graduate school can be an extremely demanding endeavor. There will be challenges to overcome on your path to success.
MSAPH exists so that you do not have to make your journey alone. We are committed to providing you with the tools that are critical to helping you achieve academic and professional success. If you need support for personal, academic, or professional reasons, we encourage you to contact any member of the executive board, or the MSAPH adviser. Most importantly, remember that you can succeed in graduate school. None of us would have been accepted if we did not possess the skills needed for success in graduate school and beyond.
Pen Pal Program Heading link
Pen Pal Program is a youth intervention program that we are currently partnering with three CPS schools and their 5th grade students. Through the friendships and mentorships fostered between UIC and Gary Elementary students, we have been able to encourage educational attainment across youth in Little Village, a predominantly Mexican-immigrant neighborhood over the past seven years through this partnership. We had recently launched this program to Belmont Cragin School, which stands in a predominantly Mexican-immigrant neighborhood, last year and have now acquired partnering with Charles R Henderson Elementary that educates African-American and Latinx students. The overall goal of the Pen Pal Program is to bridge the gap between communities with low high school graduation rates by establishing this letter exchange program between elementary students and the current UIC community. The program consists of 4 monthly letter exchanges from January to April between all our UIC volunteers and their 5th grade students.
MSAPH Executive Board Heading link
President – Ramses Baez Tejeda
- I am a second year MPH Candidate with a career interest in infectious disease and surveillance. Aside from academics, I like running and trying new coffee shops.
Vice President – Camila Flores
- I am a second year MHA Candidate with a career interest is Quality & Safety/Health Equity in a hospital setting.
Treasurer – Noorulain Arif
- I am a second year MHA Candidate with a career interest in improving health outcomes for minority populations.
Executive Secretary – Shiriah Acolatse
- I am a second-year MHA candidate with a strong passion for promoting diversity, equity, and advocating for the health of marginalized communities
Events and Marketing Chair – Kishori Raj
- I am a second year MPH Candidate with a career interest in working with family dynamics struggling with substance abuse.
Pen Pal Chair – Manshi Kumudkumar Patel
- I am a first-year student pursuing my degree in Master of Healthcare Administration with career interests in quality and safety, project management and consulting.
Pen Pal Committee Member – Ali Sheikh-Khalil
- I am a second year MHA Candidate with a career interest in improving access to healthcare in any way that I can.
Pen Pal Committee Member – Layla Contreras
- I am a first year MPH student with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health with a career interest in staying in academia and working in reproductive research focusing on reproductive rights and education.
Pen Pal Committee Member – Kelsey West
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I am a first year MHA Candidate with a career interest in health equity and increasing access to healthcare services amongst marginalized communities.
Pen Pal Committee Member – Julie Hernandez
Organization Advisor – Angela Hunt (ahunt13@uic.edu)
- Program Coordinator
Goals Heading link
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To provide an atmosphere
that will assist underrepresented graduate students in achieving academic and professional success.
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To act as a strong voice
for the underrepresented graduate community by actively dealing with issues that affect the growth and success of MSAPH members.
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To represent MSAPH
in a manner that will command respect admiration from fellow graduate students, administrators, and professors.
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To work with the School of Public Health administration
in recognizing and addressing the needs of MSAPH members.
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To provide positive role models
for students involving area professionals.
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To provide leadership opportunities
for students that will help them develop the skills and work habits needed to enhance their future professional growth.
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To emphasize the importance of contributing to the community
by encouraging students to volunteer their time with various organizations, and become more politically active in issues pertaining to out communities.
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To assist students in identifying employment and financial assistance
through postings, job fairs and networking events.