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Three candidates in the University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program were recognized nationally at the 2025 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. The organization awarded its prestigious 21st Century Student Scholarship to just three students across the country, and all three recipients represented the University of New Haven.

The SOPHE Advocacy Summit, held annually in the nation’s capital, brings together public health students, educators, and professionals to strengthen advocacy and policy skills, engage with legislators, and advance evidence-based solutions to pressing health challenges. This year’s summit, themed “Finding Common Ground: Pathways to a Healthier Nation,” highlighted the power of collaboration, storytelling, and policy change in achieving health equity.

Under the mentorship of Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH, associate professor of population health and leadership and director of the WeEmbody (WE) Lab, WE Lab Fellows Charmi Desai ’26 MPH, Fouzia Noor ’26 MPH, and Reyusha Chalise ’26 MPH joined hundreds of advocates from across the country for three days of interactive workshops, policy discussions, and meetings on Capitol Hill. During the event, they were formally recognized by SOPHE for their outstanding leadership, passion for health education, and commitment to advancing health equity through advocacy.

Quinn Duclos, Ph.D., M.S., CHES(R), program director of the Master of Public Health program, shared his excitement for the recognition:

“Having three of our MPH students awarded the 21st Century Student Scholarship is incredibly exciting. There are only three scholarships awarded nationally, so to have all three go to our students speaks volumes about the program. It’s also a testament to the kind of student that we have in the MPH program. Charmi, Fouzia, and Reyusha are dedicated leaders with strong public health skillsets. We are proud to have them represent the University of New Haven’s MPH program on the national stage.”

The selection and recognition of the three MPH students mark a significant achievement for the University of New Haven’s School of Health Sciences. It demonstrates the strength of its MPH program, the dedication of its faculty mentors, and the growing national visibility of its students’ contributions to public health leadership.

Below, the three scholarship recipients share their reflections on what attending the SOPHE Advocacy Summit meant to them, how it shaped their understanding of advocacy, and how they plan to apply what they learned to drive meaningful change in their communities.

Attending the SOPHE Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. as a recipient of the 21st Century Student Scholarship was truly a dream come true. When I received the email announcing that I had been selected, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude toward my mentors, the WE Lab, and the University of New Haven community for its constant support and encouragement. It was humbling to know that my passion for health promotion and equity was being recognized by a national organization such as SOPHE.

The Advocacy Summit gave me a deeper understanding of how policy, communication, and collaboration intersect to shape public health. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was that advocacy is not just about lobbying; it is about telling your story, listening to others, and using evidence to influence meaningful change. Hearing from experienced advocates and participating in hands-on policy training sessions helped me see how strategic communication and empathy can make a real difference in decision-making processes.

This experience also expanded my understanding of the essential role advocacy plays in achieving health equity. I realized that even the most effective public health interventions can fall short if there are no supportive policies or equitable resource distribution. Advocacy bridges that gap, ensuring that communities have a voice and that policies reflect the realities people face every day.

The SOPHE Advocacy Summit reaffirmed why I chose this field. It reminded me that advocacy is both a skill and a responsibility. I am more motivated than ever to use my voice, my education, and my compassion to help build communities where everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and dignified life.

Being selected as a recipient of the SOPHE 21st Century Student Scholarship and attending the 2025 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., was an incredible honor and one of the most meaningful experiences of my graduate journey. It was also a moment of personal pride because it validated my growing commitment to public health and reminded me how far I’ve come since joining the MPH program. Before attending the Summit, my understanding of advocacy came primarily from coursework and classroom discussions, but seeing it come to life on a national stage was truly transformative. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Tran for inspiring me to apply for the scholarship and for his mentorship and support throughout this process.

The theme of this year’s Summit, “Finding Common Ground: Pathways to a Healthier Nation,” resonated deeply with me. It emphasized how collaboration and open communication between community members and policymakers are essential to addressing public health challenges. Through skill-building workshops, poster presentations, and coaching sessions led by experienced educators and advocates, I learned how to combine data-driven evidence with personal stories to craft powerful messages for policymakers.

One of the highlights of my experience was visiting Capitol Hill and meeting with legislative correspondents. I joined other students and professionals representing the state of Connecticut to discuss key issues such as sustaining public health funding through programs such as REACH, protecting the CDC’s school health initiatives, and addressing health misinformation. These conversations were eye-opening and reinforced the responsibility we hold as public health professionals to advocate for policies that advance health equity, especially for marginalized communities.

I first learned about the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) from Dr. Alvin Tran during a WeEmbody (WE) Lab meeting, where he shared the many opportunities SOPHE offers to students. When he mentioned the Advocacy Summit, it immediately caught my attention. With his encouragement and guidance, I applied for the 21st Century Student Scholarship, and when I learned that I had been selected, I felt immense joy, pride, and gratitude. It was a moment that affirmed my passion for public health advocacy and reminded me why I chose this field.

Attending the 2025 SOPHE Advocacy Summit was a transformative experience. Surrounded by passionate professionals and fellow advocates, I gained new insight into how communication serves as the foundation of effective advocacy. Every speaker emphasized the importance of storytelling, empathy, and connection, reminding us that advocacy is not only about influencing policy but about building trust and helping communities see why their voices matter.

The Capitol Hill visit was another highlight. Collaborating with other Connecticut participants to craft our messages and share local perspectives was empowering. Although we could not meet directly with our Senators due to the government shutdown, the conversations we had with their legislative correspondents were deeply impactful and strengthened my commitment to use advocacy as a tool for equity.

This experience reaffirmed my purpose as a student, a professional, and an advocate. It inspired me to continue educating, collaborating, and leading with empathy. I now look forward to applying these lessons as part of the organizing team for the upcoming Health Advocacy Day Training at the University of New Haven, an initiative inspired by the Summit that will help others strengthen their own voices for change.

‘Consistently advocating for the needs of the diverse communities they represent’

Reflecting on the students’ national recognition, Dr. Tran explained how proud he is of how they have applied classroom learning to real-world advocacy.

“Our public health students continue to apply the skills learned in the classroom to the real world,” he said. “They’re taught to think about sustainable impact and to ensure they not only find seats at the tables where decision-making occurs, but that they are consistently advocating for the needs of the diverse communities they represent.”