The Science of Showing Up
Empowering Students Today, Protecting Public Health Tomorrow
Helping Students Stay on Track When Life Gets Hard
Supporting students through life’s unexpected challenges is more than an act of compassion—it’s an investment in the future of public health. Unfortunately, due to reductions and immediate elimination of federal funding, students across the nation are at greater risk for the loss of employment, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities.
The SPH Emergency Fund exists to help students stay on track when emergencies threaten to derail their education. Whether it’s overdue rent, a medical crisis, or a sudden need for groceries, this fund offers a lifeline during difficult times.
All SPH students, including those in joint degree programs, are eligible to apply. Each request is reviewed by the Student Affairs team, who consider every application with thoughtfulness and urgency. Students who receive support can stay enrolled, continue their training, and ultimately bring their full potential to the public health field.
As one student recipient shared: “The SPH Emergency Funds provided crucial support during a challenging time, allowing me to cover a past-due therapy bill that was causing me significant stress. This financial assistance enabled me to focus on my studies and well-being without the added burden of unpaid bills. I am grateful for the relief and stability that this support brought into my life when I needed it most. The impact of this fund goes beyond just the financial aspect; it reinforces a sense of community and care within SPH.”
Public health needs professionals who are not only knowledgeable, but also empathetic and deeply connected to the communities they serve. By helping students overcome personal hardships, we are shaping a workforce that understands the importance of meeting people where they are and lifting them up when they need it most.
Fueling First-Generation Futures
With more than 40% first-generation students in recent UIC classes, welcoming and supporting traditionally underrepresented students is directly linked to SPH’s commitment to social justice and advancing health equity.
“When we think about underrepresented communities, who are the best people to work in those communities?” probes Clarí Gomez, Assistant Director of Academic Progress and Retention. “People who came from those communities.”
First-generation college students often face unfamiliar systems, limited support networks, and added responsibilities like work or caregiving. Despite these obstacles, first-generation students bring exceptional strength, resourcefulness, and determination to their education. Importantly, their lived experiences offer valuable insight and unique perspectives, particularly in fields like public health, where understanding diverse communities is essential.
“Everyone has a different path to college. Sometimes it’s nonlinear, and that’s okay. But students should feel valued in their successes,” shared one student in a first-gen program evaluation when reflecting on their experience.
Over the last few years, SPH has prioritized building stronger first-gen student support systems to address both academic and personal challenges.
Academically, our programming connects students with graduate students, faculty, and staff (who may be first generation college graduates themselves) outside of the classroom. Through informal networking or formal mentoring, these connections help students learn practical skills and access educational and professional resources.
Personally, we encourage help-seeking and communitybuilding behaviors through peer support networks, social events, weekly check-ins, and mental health counseling. It is essential to create space for students to talk about issues like work obligations, family responsibilities, or internalized labels that may affect their confidence. We focus on students’ strengths—resilience, resolve, and creativity—not just their needs.
We are excited to deepen these connections by linking our student programming to alumni networks. Their stories, mentorship, and lived experience will help guide the next generation, and strengthen the public health workforce for the challenges to come.
“If we want a public health workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we must start with the students in our classrooms,” Gomez concluded.
Young Alumni, Big Impact
Bringing together recent graduates to share their journeys from classroom to career, SPH hosted an undergraduate alumni panel. As one of the newest programs at SPH (just over a decade old) the undergraduate public health degree has already cultivated a vibrant and growing network of professionals making meaningful contributions across the field.
For current students, the panel offered more than advice. It provided a clear window into the possibilities ahead. Alumni spoke about their roles in local health departments, nonprofit organizations, and graduate programs, showing how a public health degree opens doors to diverse and impactful careers. Their stories gave students tangible examples of how classroom learning translates into real-world change.
“We are all in the field of public health because we like to be of service to one another,” explained Meghan Mason, Director of Undergraduate Programs & Clinical Associate Professor. “So, our alumni enjoy interacting with the undergraduate students as a way of giving back from their own experiences.”
Panelists also reflected on the support they received as students—from faculty mentorship to emergency resources— and how those experiences helped them succeed. Their journeys are proof that when we invest in students, we’re building a stronger, more prepared public health workforce.
At a critical juncture of the public health system in the US, ensuring our students can envision the impact they can make at the many local and state-level public health organizations is critical to meeting the ongoing and emerging challenges in the field. From public schools to specialized advanced degrees to health care providers, our undergraduate alumni are living the school’s mission and ensuring the next class of students is ready to step up, too.