Meet Fatma Beye, a Rutgers School of Public Health MPH graduate!
Fatma Beye will be receiving her Master of Public Health (MPH) in Global Public Health from the Rutgers School of Public Health.
As a member of the Class of 2025, Fatma has pursued her degree with a clear commitment to advancing equity and sustainability in public health—particularly in underserved communities. Her time at the school has been marked by immersive experiences in research, advocacy, and education, all grounded in a global perspective.
She was also part of the inaugural cohort of 2024-2025 Wellness PHirst Ambassadors with the Office of Student Experiences and Alumni Affairs (SEAA), where she mentored peers, promoted wellness resources, and co-facilitated programs aimed at strengthening student support and engagement.
We sat down with Fatma to hear more about her public health journey, her passions and goals, and what’s next.
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What inspired you to pursue public health, and how has your time at Rutgers School of Public Health shaped your journey?
My passion for public health grew from a deep desire to address health disparities in marginalized communities, especially among women and children. I’ve always been drawn to the intersections of health, policy, and equity, and Rutgers gave me the tools to explore those intersections through a global lens. The School of Public Health has shaped my journey by offering a diverse, hands-on learning environment where I've been able to combine academic knowledge with real-world applications through research, community engagement, and advocacy.
What has been the most rewarding or transformative experience during your time at Rutgers?
The most rewarding part has been gaining a broader understanding of how public health works—beyond the textbooks. I’ve learned how systems, policies, and community voices all collide to shape outcomes. It’s been transformative to be part of initiatives that focus on sustainability, maternal health, and clean energy, and to realize that public health is everywhere—whether we're in a classroom or at a community farm table event. Seeing how I can contribute in small and large ways has been powerful.
What advice would you give to current and future public health students?
Stay curious and stay grounded. Public health is a vast field, so don’t be afraid to explore different interests, even if they seem unrelated at first—they often connect in unexpected ways. Build relationships with faculty and your peers, because collaboration is everything in this work. Most importantly, remember why you started—let your "why" guide you, especially on hard days.
What’s next after graduation, and how do you hope to make an impact in public health?
After graduation, I plan to continue working with the New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition, focusing on clean energy education and advocacy to ensure sustainable solutions are accessible to all communities. My time as a Teaching Assistant in the Maternal and Child Health course also strengthened my passion for mentorship and education, which I plan to carry forward in every space I’m in. Long-term, I hope to return to my roots by launching a nonprofit in Senegal focused on women’s empowerment and environmental sustainability. My goal is to create pathways that uplift women, promote eco-conscious living, and center community-led solutions—because when women thrive, communities thrive.
