Stephen F. Austin State University students and faculty members in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science participated in the Texas Society for Public Health Education annual conference in Waco.
During the two-day conference titled “Advancing Population Health through Diversity, Innovation and Collaboration,” students networked with professionals, attended panel presentations and workshop sessions, and viewed research posters.
Workshop sessions included “Collective Impact: Utilizing Community Coalitions and Collaborative Efforts to Advance Change,” “Quality Improvement: The Value and Use of Data to Drive Health Education Programming,” and “Skill Building: Improving the Capacity and Need for Public Health Education.”
Emily Miller, McKinney senior, said she was glad she attended the conference because of the networking opportunities.
“I made several contacts with people from diverse health professions, including someone from Chicago, where I hope to live after graduation,” Miller said. “There were many kind and helpful people willing to provide career guidance and network with me about having a meaningful career in health science.”
Jillian McKenzie, Beaumont senior, agreed the conference was a helpful tool in making career contacts.
“The conference opened my eyes to all of the possibilities and opportunities I have with a degree in health science,” McKenzie said. “I would strongly encourage my peers to attend these kinds of conferences. They open doors to internships and career opportunities.”
Marym Lakhani, visiting lecturer in SFA’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, is serving as president-elect of the TSOPHE, a nonprofit professional association representing a diverse membership of health education professionals and students from across Texas, according to txsophe.org.
As president-elect, Lakhani served as co-chair of the program planning and audit committees. As program chair, she was responsible for helping organize and execute the conference.
Drs. Mary Hawkins, coordinator of SFA’s health science program, and DawnElla Rust, health science professor at SFA, also attended the conference.
