Meet the students from the College of Public Health and Health Professions, a diverse group dedicated to improving health and well-being in communities around the world. These students come from various backgrounds, united by their passion for health and their commitment to making a positive impact. They bring unique perspectives and experiences to their studies, preparing to become the next generation of health professionals who will address pressing health challenges and advance their field.
Meet: Brianna Handley
Program: Bachelor of Public Health
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Why did you decide to join the Bachelor of Public Health program?
I decided to join this program because it is a great combination of both health and logistical issues. As someone who is not looking to become a doctor, Public Health was still a great way to learn about our current health system and apply it to more liberal academics. This program is very adaptable to my future career goals and offers several different options to students with various goals. Public Health has always been something I have been interested in, and this program provides several opportunities for students to diverge and find what works for them!
What have been some of your favorite moments in the BPH program?
One of my favorite moments in this program has been helping create some of the social media posts for PHHP. As one of the Dean’s Ambassadors, I have been able to be in some of the videos and photos that have been posted to our social media platforms. This has been a great way to meet other students within the program while also giving back to PHHP. I definitely recommend applying to our Dean’s Ambassador program!
What do you plan to do with your degree?
After graduation, I plan to attend law school with a concentration in health law and policy. I believe my BPH will be a great stepping stone and aid to my future legal education. I hope to work in the field of legal epidemiology, where there is a large emphasis on understanding how current laws and policies affect public health. I would like to work within this field to address health disparities within our country and the world. This field is not well known, so I would also like to bring awareness to this career as it is extremely important to the public health world and can affect so many!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
When I am not taking classes at PHHP, you can usually find me at a club meeting or at work! Leadership-wise, I am one of the Student Co-Coordinators for the Florida Health Policy Leadership Academy, and this commitment is one of my top priorities. Here, I am able to work with several fellows across Florida to create and implement different health policies. I am also a Dean’s Ambassador for PHHP and love creating different social media posts for the college’s social media platforms. I have also been involved with a competitive mock trial team on campus as a way to branch out beyond public health! Beyond academics, I enjoy going to the gym, taking walks, playing pickleball, and trying out new coffee shops. I definitely try to prioritize my non-academic involvements as taking breaks is very important!
What would you like to share with others who may be considering the BPH program?
This program is extremely adaptable to every student, no matter what pre-professional path they may be on. Our cohorts are very close-knit, which has been very beneficial when it comes to studying, group projects, or learning about different opportunities. Since PHHP is down the hill, you really get to know your classmates well, and this has been one of the best perks of this program for me! Additionally, the PHHP professors are very involved with their students’ passions and are always looking out for different opportunities to send their way!
Want to learn more?
Click here if you’d like to learn more about the BPH program. Also, be sure to check out our Dean’s Ambassador program by clicking here.
Hey, current PHHP students! Want to share your story? Click here to learn how!