GET INVOLVED

Alumni and friends are vital to the ongoing success of SPHHS and the Public Health Alumni Association (PHAA). There are so many ways to get involved; explore the volunteer opportunities below to find the one that fits you best! If you have any questions or additional ideas for alumni involvement, please contact the PHAA at phaa@gwumc.edu or the Medical Center Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@gwumc.edu.

Learn more about the PHAA!

Serve on a PHAA Committee

We welcome your involvement on any of PHAA's five committees (click on each one for a description of its activities). If you are interested in joining a committee or learning more about its activities, please email the PHAA at phaa@gwumc.edu.

• Policies and Procedures Committee

  Assists in developing the PHAA infrastructure and ensures that operations of the association are properly executed. The committee guides the Board by drafting and revising policies and procedures related to PHAA activities.
  Chair: Logan Thornton

• Public Relations and Social Committee

  Develops and implements activities that will increase the visibility of and access to PHAA, assists PHAA with the connection between current students and alumni through networking opportunities and website interfacing, and acts as a liaison to other committees where necessary. Following its second annual retreat in 2007, this committee has expanded its mission to include social activities.
  Co-chairs: Penney Davis and Becca Simon

• Fundraising Committee

  Plans and promotes efforts to raise funds for the SPHHS through special events and other major gifts solicitations (e.g., the Capital Connection Fund). The Fundraising Committee is responsible for encouraging contributions through direct mail and development efforts; and monitoring the levels of giving. The committee works closely with GW staff in the Medical Center Development office on a variety of efforts including branding and development.
  Chair: Rachel Augustin

• Professional Development Committee

  Oversees, develops, and implements activities that encourage the academic and career growth of alumni and current students.
  Chair: Ndidi Amutah

• Community Service Committee

  Plans and implements service activities that engage alumni and the greater School of Public Health and Health Services | George Washington University community. The Community Service Committee establishes and maintains partnerships with various organizations (both within and beyond the University walls). The committee also recommends community service activities to the PHAA and leads the organization and implementation of approved activities.
  Chair: Christina Hartman

Share Your Career Insights

Help foster the next generation of public health professionals - volunteer to be contacted for an informational interview. SPHHS students and recent alumni are eager to talk with you about careers in public health and about organizations that may offer employment opportunities.

We will provide your email address to only one person at a time. You may choose to continue emailing, meet in person, or have a telephone conversation. You control the information you provide and the questions you feel comfortable answering. No long-term commitment is required. To volunteer or find out more, email Mallory Boyd, Director of Student Academic and Career Development Services.

Another way to share career insights is to participate in a Public Health Career Panel or Career Fair - email Mallory Boyd for information on upcoming career events.

Host a Dinner for Current Students

Connect with young professionals and share your experiences by Hosting a Dinner for Current Students! PHSA, PHAA, the GWAA and the Medical Center Office of Alumni Relations have teamed up to bring students and alumni together through a series of dinners throughout the year. To learn more about our "Dinner with Alumni" program, or to sign up to host students, click here.

Build our Next Talented Class

Contribute to our School's future by volunteering to reach out to prospective and incoming students. Contact the Admissions Office to:

• Become an Alumni Ambassador - Remember all those questions you had when you applied to SPHHS? Hearing the answers from someone who has been there, done that - AND is now a successful public health professional - is invaluable! Complete the Alumni Ambassador form and send it as an attachment to the Office of Alumni Relations. Alumni Ambassador profiles will be posted to the School's website so that prospective applicants can email you for your perspective on our school and especially your program.
• Refer prospective applicants to our website and to the Admissions Office so that they can learn more about our exciting undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Volunteer to call or email accepted applicants who live or attend school in your area and have applied to your degree program. When an alum contacts an accepted applicant, it can seal that applicant's decision to attend SPHHS.
• Volunteer to serve on the SPHHS Alumni Panel during our Open House for Accepted Applicants, held in late March. Our attendees have said this is the most powerful event of the day!
• Attend the APHA Annual Meeting and help us staff our information booth. Many prospective applicants attend this event and are eager to talk with SPHHS alums.

Recommend a Prospective Student

Think you know someone who would be interested in becoming a student at SPHHS?

Become a Practicum Preceptor

As an alum and practicing professional, you understand that practical knowledge and skills are essential to a successful public health career. Accordingly, a planned, supervised, and evaluated practicum experience is now a required component of the MPH degree at SPHHS. The goal of the practicum is to allow students to develop practical skills in preparation for their public health careers, to gain professional experience in a public health work environment, and to work on public health practice projects of personal and professional interest, while also offering services to the greater community.

The practicum is a three-way partnership among SPHHS students, SPHHS departments, and the sponsoring organization, which provides guidance through an assigned Site Preceptor. If your organization has a practicum opportunity for SPHHS students, or you would like to learn more about the SPHHS MPH Practicum, please contact Donna Caruso, SPHHS Practicum Coordinator.

Make a Gift to SPHHS

SPHHS can put your gift to work by providing students financial assistance, advancing knowledge about pressing public health issues, and enhancing service to the community. One of the most exciting new opportunities for giving is the Capital Connection Fund, which is a partnership between SPHHS and PHAA launched to celebrate the School's tenth anniversary. The Capital Connection Fund provides financial assistance so students can take advantage of off-campus research, internships, conferences and other professional development activities. The Fund enables students to pursue opportunities they could not otherwise afford, and facilitates formative educational experiences beyond GW's walls.