Rutgers School of Public Health alumna Krystal Mayers-Pagan, DHSc, MPH, CRT, leads student wellness services at Fairleigh Dickinson University, advancing health equity and human-centered approaches to improve well-being for campus communities
Each April, the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Office of Career Services features alumni whose work is advancing health and well-being locally and globally. Launched in 2021, Alumni April brings together students, alumni, faculty and community partners through stories and events that showcase diverse career paths and the many ways public health professionals drive impactful change.
This year’s Alumni April theme, Humans of Rutgers School of Public Health, centers the human stories behind public health – highlighting non-traditional journeys, interdisciplinary careers and the people-first values that shape the profession. These leaders illustrate the many ways our alumni bring public health values into varied roles and sectors, while keeping people and communities at the heart of what they do.
Among them is Krystal Mayers-Pagan, DHSc, MPH, CRT, Interim University Director of Student Wellness Services at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Here, she reflects on her journey, what it means to “humanize public health” and advice for future public health leaders.
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Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
I am a public health practitioner committed to improving outcomes in communities disproportionately affected by health disparities. I currently serve as Interim University Director of Student Wellness Services at Fairleigh Dickinson University, leading healthcare policy development, programs, and operations to promote campus well-being.
My previous roles include leadership and public health positions at Newark Community Health Centers, Inc., New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Passionate about advancing equitable care for adolescents and young adults, I promote health equity through teaching and mentorship. I earned a Doctor of Health Sciences degree from A.T. Still University and a Master of Public Health degree from Rutgers University.
How did your non-traditional path shape your public health career?
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Life Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University. When I began my undergraduate studies, I initially planned to pursue medical school—or so I thought. As I progressed through my coursework and experiences, I realized that while I was deeply passionate about health, clinical medicine was not the path that aligned best with my goals. What remained constant, however, was my commitment to advancing health equity and improving outcomes for underserved communities.
A pivotal moment in my academic journey came when I enrolled in a Health Psychology course. That class sparked my interest in public health and reshaped my career aspirations. I became inspired by the idea of addressing health at both the individual and community levels to create meaningful, population-wide impact. Although my career trajectory shifted, my core purpose did not. I found a path that allows me to advocate for underrepresented communities and contribute to improving their health and wellness outcomes in a broader, more systemic way.
To me, 'humanizing public health' means designing policies and systems that see people not as statistics, but as individuals shaped by culture, history, and lived experience.
Krystal Mayers-Pagan, DHSc, MPH, CRT
Alumna, Rutgers School of Public Health
What does “humanizing public health” mean to you?
To me, “humanizing public health” means designing policies and systems that see people not as statistics, but as individuals shaped by culture, history, and lived experience. It’s about centering dignity, equity, and trust—listening to communities, addressing structural barriers, and ensuring care is accessible, respectful, and responsive to real human needs.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to those pursuing a career in public health?
Stay grounded in community. In a time of rapid change, political polarization, and misinformation, your credibility and impact will come from building trust, listening deeply, and working alongside the communities you serve—not just designing solutions for them. Also, invest in both technical skills (data literacy, policy analysis, communication) and moral courage. The public health workforce needs professionals who can interpret evidence clearly, communicate it compassionately, and advocate for equity even when it’s uncomfortable.
