Meet Zenab Butt, a Rutgers School of Public Health MPH graduate!
Zenab Butt will be receiving her Master of Public Health (MPH) in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences from the Rutgers School of Public Health.
As a member of the Class of 2025, Zenab brought to her graduate studies a commitment to health equity and community-centered care. Zenab’s public health journey has been shaped by her lived experiences, her passion for advocacy, and a strong focus on culturally responsive approaches. During her time at the school, she embraced hands-on opportunities to design and implement effective initiatives, preparing her to continue advancing public health with empathy, innovation and impact.
Zenab has distinguished herself not only through her academic achievements but also as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Anna Skiff Award—presented to one graduating student in the Social and Behavioral Health Sciences concentration for an outstanding practicum, fieldwork, or capstone project that is original, timely, and impactful.
We sat down with Zenab 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?
Growing up in the South Asian community, I witnessed firsthand how language barriers and cultural differences often hindered access to disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. These challenges highlighted the critical need to bridge such gaps to improve community health outcomes. This realization sparked my interest in public health and inspired me to pursue a path where I could learn how to engage diverse stakeholders and advocate for equitable access to care.
My time at the Rutgers School of Public Health has been truly transformative, deepening my understanding of health disparities and reinforcing the vital role of prevention and culturally competent care in achieving health equity.
What has been the most rewarding or transformative experience during your time at Rutgers?
The most transformative experience during my time at Rutgers was my Wellness PHirst APE internship, where I designed a Budget Reality Fair to promote financial wellness among students at the School of Public Health. This initiative allowed me to translate classroom knowledge into meaningful, real-world impact, an experience that was both challenging and deeply rewarding. I developed an interactive, engaging event that allowed students to explore personal finance concepts in a hands-on, relatable way.
By equipping participants with essential financial literacy skills, the program aimed to enhance their overall well-being and better prepare them for managing financial responsibilities in both their personal and professional lives.
You’ve been recognized with the 2025 Anna Skiff Award. What does this award mean to you?
The Anna Skiff Award is a meaningful and humbling recognition of my commitment to public health advocacy and leadership. It reinforces my dedication to making a positive impact through community engagement and innovative health initiatives.
What advice would you give to current and future public health students?
To current and future public health students, my advice is to fully embrace every experiential learning opportunity Rutgers School of Public Health has to offer, whether it’s through internships, community projects, or research. These moments are where theory meets real-world impact. Seek out mentors like Claire Brown, whose guidance and support during my internship were instrumental in shaping my confidence and professional growth.
Don’t underestimate the value of building a strong network; surround yourself with peers, faculty, and practitioners who challenge you, uplift you, and walk with you beyond the classroom. Public health is a team effort, and your network will be one of your greatest assets.
What’s next after graduation, and how do you hope to make an impact in public health?
After graduation, I plan to continue advancing health equity and community empowerment, focusing on maternal health, a field in which I’ve been deeply engaged over the past year. Through this work, I’ve witnessed the urgent need for culturally responsive health education and supportive systems that center the voices of birthing people.
I hope to build on this foundation by leveraging my skills in program planning and community engagement to design and implement impactful maternal health initiatives. My goal is to help reduce disparities, improve access to quality care, and ensure all individuals have the knowledge and support they need for safe, informed, and empowered birthing experiences.
