Meet Soukeyna Gueye, a Rutgers School of Public Health MPH graduate!
Soukeyna Gueye 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, Soukeyna has brought a strong foundation in pharmacy to her graduate studies, grounding her work in science and lived experience. Her passion for advancing health equity has guided her commitment to strengthening health systems and centering underserved communities in global health.
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 Soukeyna 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 inspiration to pursue public health is deeply personal. I grew up in a low-income neighborhood in Dakar, Senegal, where access to quality healthcare was limited. Losing a close family member at the age of eight due to complications from late-diagnosed type 2 diabetes opened my eyes to the devastating consequences of health inequities. It became clear to me early on that health and economic stability are deeply intertwined, and that realization has fueled my passion for creating more equitable health systems.
My time at Rutgers School of Public Health has been transformative. It gave me the tools to translate my lived experiences into action, deepened my understanding of systemic disparities, and strengthened my research and program management skills.
What has been the most rewarding or transformative experience during your time at Rutgers?
One of the most rewarding experiences was contributing to a hypertension prevention pilot with the Mercer County WIC Program, which allowed me to apply my academic learning in a real-world context—supporting African American women in reducing pregnancy-related complications and promoting better birth outcomes for my Applied Practice Experience (APE).
What advice would you give to current and future public health students?
Never underestimate the power of your lived experience—it's one of your greatest assets in this field. Public health is about people, and approaching your work with empathy, humility, and cultural competence can make all the difference. Seek opportunities to work in communities that inspire you, be open to interdisciplinary learning, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Also, find mentors and peers who uplift you—this work can be challenging, and the community makes it sustainable.
What’s next after graduation, and how do you hope to make an impact in public health?
After graduation, I plan to continue working at the intersection of global health, maternal and child health, and health systems strengthening, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. I’m deeply passionate about building equitable health systems that center the voices of underserved communities—and one of the ways I hope to do that is through a career in health consulting.
Another key area I’m passionate about is clinical trials. I believe that inclusive, community-based research is critical to closing health equity gaps. I want to be involved in trials that ensure diverse representation, especially of African and diasporic populations, and reflect the real-world needs of the communities they’re meant to serve.
