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Connections Inside and Outside the Classroom

“I've learned a lot about how to navigate the field of public health. My previous work experience was more focused on the business side of healthcare. Now, I have a better understanding of community work as well, which I feel gives me great perspective.”

Cindy Cheng first learned about Rollins while she was an Emory undergraduate student studying human health. As a collegiate swimmer, she was always interested in health and wellness, and was drawn to pursuing public health as a career. Following her graduation, she spent four years working in healthcare consulting, but always hoped to eventually earn her MPH. Returning to Emory for that endeavor was a no-brainer. 

“I loved being a student at Emory, and when I came back for the admitted student's day at Rollins, that love was reconfirmed,” she says. She began her MPH in behavioral, social, and health education sciences in the fall of 2022, and is also a certificate student in the Maternal and Child Health Center of Excellence. 

During her time at Rollins, Cheng has gained invaluable experience through her extensive involvement on and around campus. She served as the communications chair for the Emory Reproductive Health Association throughout 2023, worked as a labor support volunteer at Emory Decatur Hospital, holds a graduate research assistantship with the School of Medicine, and is a Rollins student ambassador.  

“There’s a lot of opportunities to work with the community, and at Rollins, and it's just not siloed to the School of Public Health,” she notes. “Students have the chance to work with the School of Medicine, or Grady Memorial Hospital, or community organizations like Planned Parenthood. You can get involved in a lot of different ways, and if you ask fellow students or faculty members, they’ll help you connect to the right people.” 

Cheng has valued the opportunities Rollins has opened up for her to apply the skills she is learning in class to real-world scenarios. One that was particularly impactful was working as a grant writing intern at Childspring International for her applied practice experience during the summer of 2023. In her role, she learned about funding sources for non-profits while practicing new skills in grant management and donor outreach.  

The wealth of experiences gained during her time as a Rollins student has allowed Cheng to grow as a public health professional and solidify her future career path. 

“I've learned a lot about how to navigate the field of public health,” she says. “My previous work experience was more focused on the business side of healthcare. Now, I have a better understanding of community work as well, which I feel gives me great perspective.” 

After she graduates in May, Cheng will use this new understanding to start her career with Deloitte as a consultant in the government and public services sector.