Quiana Jones said she and fellow members of NIU’s Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) had an idea about creating a campus-wide event to celebrate National Public Health Week.
Months later, the program coordinator of NIU’s master’s in public health (MPH) program watched that idea turn into a successful reality as more than 200 faculty, staff, alumni and students gathered in Wirtz Hall Atrium for the inaugural Public Health Expo.
“I just want to take this time to thank everyone for supporting this,” Jones said. “I enjoyed seeing the faculty and student interactions, and most importantly, our students absolutely loved it.”
Exhibitors included faculty and staff from NIU programs and departments along with student organizations and community partners from area health departments and hospitals.
“I’m so appreciative of our supportive community partners and incredible faculty,” said CHHS Dean Kelly Fiala. “Their passion for serving others and the field of public health is inspiring. This was a great opportunity for prospective and current students to engage with public health practitioners.”
Jones agreed, adding that feedback from those who attended has been extremely positive.
“I cannot explain the amount of positive feedback that I received as the students left the expo,” Jones said. “They enjoyed talking with professors and receiving valuable information about public health. There was also a lot of networking and connections made by the students with the health departments and hospitals that came out.”
Jones said that events like this are important for many reasons.
“Events like this are important because it takes the faculty/staff and student engagement outside of the classroom and to the next level,” Jones said. “It allowed some students to engage in one-on-one conversations with some of their professors that they may not get the chance to do in class.”
In addition, the expo was extremely beneficial for those involved in online courses. Students were able to connect with faculty, staff, classmates and alumni in person. Along with student engagement, the expo allowed those who teach and work in the public health field to showcase what they do.
“It was really beneficial having the different health departments and hospitals participate and talk to the students about what they do in the field,” Jones said. “Whether it was drug prevention, community engagement, program development, health policy and procedures, finance/administration or air and water quality testing, the students were able to see that there are various aspects to public health that they can explore.”
Public health alumni and current graduate students in the public health program also attended to share their knowledge and experience with current students.
“Our current students were so excited and appreciated the opportunity to talk to people who took the same classes that they are currently in,” Jones said. “The alumni were excited about connecting with the students as well and are looking forward to working with them in the future.”
Plans for future events are in the works. Learn more about public health at NIU.
