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 Neha and her personal experiences in public health and beyond, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health and stigma.
In our next spotlight, we sat down with Maya Governa, a Master of Public Health (MPH) student with a concentration in Epidemiology, to discuss her public health journey and the significance of promoting and leading with wellness PHirst.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree and career in public health?
I was a part of the Accelerated BS/MPH program at Rutgers, so I was able to take graduate public health courses during undergrad! I just graduated with my bachelor's in public health this past May 2024, and am looking forward to being fully immersed in the graduate community.
I've always been interested in medicine, biology, healthcare, and all things health, so when choosing public health, I knew I'd be able to learn a little bit of everything. Epidemiology stood out to me in my second year of undergrad, and I knew that was my passion!
My research interests primarily include cancer, social determinants of health, and substance use disorder(s).
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 chose to be a Wellness PHirst Ambassador because I enjoyed participating in the Wellness PHirst program during my first undergrad year at the School of Public Health and thought it would be a great opportunity to be more involved in my community.
I also thought it would help me become a better leader by putting the leadership abilities I've gained to the test. So far, it has helped me enhance my skills and has given me many fun career-building opportunities!
I plan to connect with my peers by attending in-person events where I can engage with them and support others with whatever they need on their path in public health.
What are your interests outside of public health?
I love reading, watching movies, listening to music, attending concerts, playing soccer and pickleball, and spending time with friends and family!
I also love to travel – My family is from Spain, so we try to visit as much as possible. Next year, or in the near future, we hope to explore more of Europe, which I look forward to!
A fun fact about me is that my family and I got our first-ever pets this past year: two mini golden doodle puppies named Lola and Bruno. They're a handful, but it has been so worth it!
