Students

Meet Kaitlyn Jones, MPH health behavior and health promotion student, who was drawn to programs in both the College of Public Health and the College of Social Work for their strong focus on advocacy, social justice and policy change. 

Meet Sharmake Diriye, a second-year MPH student in epidemiology, who combines his love for the Columbus-based Somali community he grew up in with a drive to diminish systemic barriers and improve health outcomes for all.

Each month, the College of Public Health shines a spotlight on one of its students. For February, meet Molly Mills, a fourth-year doctoral student in the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program with a specialization in environmental public health.

Neha Checka is a third-year student majoring in public health sociology with a minor in computer science. Since childhood, Checka has been passionate about social and health equity.

The first step to becoming less biased and more open to and inclusive of people from all backgrounds is to become educated.

The College of Public Health has championed this idea through its Community of Inclusion program for students, faculty and staff, which serves to advance participants’ understanding of diversity, equity and inclusive excellence through readings, trainings and other opportunities to expand knowledge.

Andreas Teferra, a fourth-year doctoral student in epidemiology, was studying nursing and epidemiology in Ethiopia and the Netherlands then came to Ohio State to pursue his research on health disparities among tobacco users.

From anti-tobacco ads starting in the 70s, to the musical “Rent,” to a surge of coronavirus-inspired street art, public health topics are woven throughout arts and culture.