We're excited to continue our series highlighting the 2024–2025 Wellness PHirst Ambassadors!
Each ambassador is making a meaningful impact by promoting wellness and supporting their peers. In our last feature, we introduced Julianna, sharing her research interests in substance use, mental health, and the social determinants of health.
In our next spotlight, we sat down with Emily Brown a Master of Public Health (MPH) student with a concentration in Urban Public Health, to discuss her journey and the significance of promoting and leading with wellness PHirst.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree and career in public health?
My passion for public health and service began when I was young, sparked by my fascination with health-related magazines and books. I envisioned my future studying health and medicine, although I was unsure which path I would take. I volunteered in my local community during high school, yet I was unaware of the theories, policies, and research linking the systemic issues I encountered.
After completing my undergraduate studies, my first job was with a non-profit where I worked in a community resource center, offering financial assistance to help families stay in their homes, providing support to those in crisis, and connecting people with resources in the surrounding area. Over time, I’ve developed a strong belief that access to healthy social determinants—such as education, healthcare, safe living conditions, and equal opportunities—should be recognized as a fundamental human right. This belief drives my diverse research interests, which include: the effects of healthcare interventions on underserved communities, strategies for addressing public health misinformation among hard-to-reach populations, the impact of urban planning and transportation on safe mobility in cities, the application of health policy and systems research to enhance health outcomes, and mental health initiatives in the 21st century.
Why did you decide to apply to be a Wellness PHirst Ambassador? How do you plan on connecting with your peers through this role?
I joined the Wellness PHirst Ambassador program because of all the incredible wellness-related seminars, activities, and programs I got to attend during my first year! I also found that the student ambassadors at Rutgers School of Public Health were incredibly helpful when I first started in the fall of 2023. Their honesty, willingness to help others and dedication to diverse wellness practices inspired me. I also realized that working closely with the SEAA staff was a valuable experience, as they are some of the most important mentors I can lean on throughout the last months of my program.
The Wellness PHirst program is truly one of a kind. Being a graduate student can be an insanely difficult experience, but this program leaves every student with a breath of fresh air after attending one of the wellness-related events. Now as an ambassador, I am more connected with my peers (especially those I did not have a course with or are outside of my concentration) and more confident in my ability to educate others on holistic wellness practices!
On top of serving as a Wellness PHirst Ambassador, I work part-time at the Rutgers Health Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance office, serve as a student leader for Rutgers School of Public Health’s organization, Volunteer Opportunities in Community Engaged Service (V.O.I.C.E.S.), in planning and promoting volunteer service initiatives around campus, and am a part of the Rutgers University Senate as the School of Public Health’s student representative.
What are your interests outside of public health?
When I'm not working or doing classwork, I'm a huge sports fan! It's college football and NFL season now, so every weekend is packed with exciting games. Rutgers is currently 4-0 as of October 3rd!
I also enjoy exploring new restaurants and bars in and around the New Brunswick area. Additionally, I am a very proud aunt. Whenever I visit home, I try to make time to visit my five nieces and nephews: Gabriel, Leona, Skylar, Preston, and Sage!
