On May 9, USF’s College of Public Health (COPH) came together, in person and online, to honor the Spring 2025 graduates with a spirited celebration of achievement, perseverance and purpose.
This semester, the COPH proudly graduated 601 undergraduate students, 127 master’s candidates and seven doctoral scholars—each now ready to tackle the most pressing public health challenges of our time.
Graduate-level students and their supporters gathered at the college for a hybrid ceremony filled with laughter, reflection and heartfelt messages. A reception welcomed guests before and after the program, providing time for connection, congratulations and plenty of photos.
Graduate Liaba Khan, MPH in social marketing (center), enjoyed the reception held in the lobby of the COPH building. (Photo courtesy of Caitlin Keough)
The program began with a warm welcome from Dean Vermund, and a reminder of the importance of public health, referring to current events in the newspaper to illustrate that public health really is everywhere.
As part of tradition, the Excellence in Teaching Award winners shared words of wisdom. This year the college had dual recipients, Drs. Jason Salemi and Joseph Bohn. The dynamic duo shared a joint conversation underscoring perseverance and urgency in the field of public health.
Drs. Joseph Bohn (left) and Jason Salemi used Bohn's hat holder, which has been passed to many generations in his family, to illustrate the significance of perserverance in public health. (Photo courtesy of Caitlin Keough)
Faculty leaders then took the stage to recognize each of the following groups: Dr. Amy Alman introduced the newest PhDs, followed by professor and Dr. Janice Zgibor, who welcomed the DrPH recipients. Then, master’s students were invited to join Dr. Jaime Corvin at the podium to announce their special projects—an opportunity to showcase the topics that fueled their passion and academic inquiry.
This spring, graduates made history as the first in the nation to walk across the commencement stage wearing the newly established national public health stole.
Corvin noted, “This is an important time in public health. This stole is a tangible symbol of each graduate’s commitment to advancing the health and well-being of communities through service, community impact and equal access—a visual reminder of the values that define the public health profession.”
As the program neared its close, a special video message from the COPH Alumni Society was shown, inviting the COPH’s newest graduates to stay connected and continue their impact as proud Bull alumni.
Finally, the doctoral graduates stood to recite their commitment to the field of public health, led by Dean Vermund.
Dean Vermund and the doctoral graduates recited their committment to public health. (Photo courtesy of Caitlin Keough)
The next day, undergraduate public health and health sciences graduates joined the larger USF Health community for a festive photo session before the official commencement at the Yuengling Center, proudly donning their graduation regalia.
(Photo courtesy of Elissa Santos)
Graduates posed for photos, capturing the joy, pride and sense of accomplishment that comes at the end of years of hard work before making their way into the arena for the official commencement ceremony, marking a milestone they will carry with them for a lifetime.
(Photo courtesy of Elissa Santos)
Here are some of the stories from the Class of 2025:
Madison Beisner, BS in health sciences, concentration in biological health science. (Photo courtesy of Beisner)
For Madison Beisner, returning to college wasn’t just a goal, it was a personal victory.
“I came back to school after taking time off due to brain cancer,” she said. “It was tough. Especially dealing with memory and learning challenges, but I kept pushing forward. That experience made me more resilient, and I know it will make me a better public health professional.”
During her time at the COPH, Beisner embraced every opportunity to grow. She studied abroad in Quebec, Canada to explore health care systems, participated in community service projects and discovered confidence in her leadership potential.
“I’m proud of the risks I took,” she said. “Stepping outside my comfort zone helped me grow into the kind of leader I want to be.”
Beisner described her experience in the COPH as transformative.
“The faculty truly care, and the real-world learning helped me discover not only new skills, but a strong sense of purpose.”
Her journey is just beginning. After graduating with a bachelor of science in public health, Beisner now plans to pursue a master of public health at the COPH, with a concentration in global disaster management, humanitarian relief and homeland security.
“I want to be on the front lines of change—helping communities recover, rebuild and thrive.”
Lisa Hund, DrPH in advanced practice leadership in public health (Photo courtesy of Hund)
After nearly two decades in the field, Lisa Hund returned to the classroom to deepen her impact on maternal and child health.
“I am most proud of completing my DrPH in advanced practice leadership in public health while working full time and raising three children,” Hund said. “Balancing work, school and home life wasn’t always easy, but it taught me how to prioritize what mattered most.”
Hund’s doctoral project explored the association between maternal mental health and child mental health using data from the Boston Birth Cohort.
“I wanted my research to have practical value, to connect school and work in a way that could really make a difference,” she said.
She chose the COPH for its renowned maternal and child health faculty and applied approach to learning.
“The program allowed me to refine my leadership style and integrate what I was learning directly into my work,” Hund said.
In her role as a senior public health and policy analyst at the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), she applies data-driven strategies to measure program impact and inform national policy.
“I truly found my calling when I joined the Bureau,” she said. “It allows my professional goals to align with our mission to improve the health and well-being of America’s mothers, children and families.”
After graduation, Hund plans to continue her work at MCHB, carrying forward the lessons and leadership growth shaped during her time at USF.
“This degree isn’t just about academic achievement, it’s about making a lasting contribution to public health,” she said.
Lisa Patterson, BS in public health (Photo courtesy of Patterson)
For Lisa Patterson, earning a degree in public health was both a personal triumph and a professional step forward. After leaving high school during her senior year, Patterson never lost sight of her goals. Now, as a proud COPH graduate, she’s living proof that perseverance knows no timeline.
Balancing full-time work at USF, raising a blended family and adopting a child with special needs in 2023, she also endured the heartbreaking loss of both her parents, including her mother just months before graduation.
“There were so many moments when it would’ve been easier to give up,” she shared. “But I refused to let those challenges define my future.”
Along the way, she earned memberships in multiple national honor societies, including National Society of Leadership and Success, Golden Key, Tau Sigma and Phi Sigma Theta, all while maintaining academic excellence.
Currently serving as the office manager for Hospital Medicine, Patterson uses the tools she gained at COPH daily.
“The program gave me a strong foundation in systems thinking and leadership, she said. “I’m constantly coordinating between departments, problem-solving, and making sure operations run smoothly—it’s fast-paced and rewarding.”
Next up: an MBA at USF.
“I want to grow into a strategic leadership role and help drive innovation in health care administration,” she said. “The journey isn’t over—this is just the next step.”
As she prepares to cross the stage, Patterson hopes her 91-year-old grandmother will be able to watch the ceremony via livestream.
“She’s been my biggest cheerleader,” Patterson said. “This moment is for her, for my kids and for anyone who thinks it’s too late to start again.”
Caroline Stampfel, DrPH in advanced practice leadership in public health (Photo courtesy of Stampfel)
Balancing full-time work, parenting two sons and a demanding doctoral program isn’t easy, but Caroline Stampfel has managed it all.
“I’m so proud that I was able to work full time, be a mom to two wonderful kiddos, a spouse to a wonderfully supportive husband and complete this doctoral program,” she said. “There were sacrifices. There were late nights. But in the end, I’ve shown my boys what’s possible.”
Stampfel was drawn to the COPH by the strength of its faculty and the applied nature of the DrPH program.
“I had already interacted professionally with some of the maternal and child health faculty, and I knew I wanted to learn from them in a different way,” she said. “This program helped me grow creatively and strengthen my leadership capacity—exactly what I was looking for as a mid-career professional.”
She credits faculty like Drs. Joe Bohn and Ellen Daley for helping her reconnect with what she loves about public health and appreciated the chance to apply classroom learning directly to her work.
“Everything I’ve learned has truly been in service to my practice,” she said “The motto ‘Our Practice is Our Passion’ fits perfectly.”
Professionally, Stampfel serves as chief strategy and program officer at the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP), where she leads the strategic impact team to support national maternal and child health priorities.
“Doing excellent public health work feels more important now than ever,” she said. “I’m excited to bring my doctoral research back into the field.”
After graduation, she is planning a well-earned vacation to celebrate both her degree and her 20th wedding anniversary, followed by more quality time with her sons as they enter their teen years.
“This has been a solo journey in many ways, but it’s also been a group effort. I couldn’t have done it without my family,” she said.
COPH Golden Bull
According to their website, “the Golden Bull Award, which is presented by the student success unit is one of USF's highest honors given annually in the spring semester to deserving undergraduate and graduate students who encompass the spirit of USF and have demonstrated its values. Recipients must exemplify exceptional leadership and service to the University and the community.”
Kesha Tondo, BS in public health (Photo courtesy of USF Student Affairs)
During her time at USF, Golden Bull award recipient Kesha Tondo proved her exceptional leadership by re-chartering a community service-based organization on campus, where she served as president, as well as demonstrated her Bulls spirit by excelling as an orientation leader.
She has studied abroad in Quebec City, Canada, where she investigated ways to improve our health care system. As a recipient of the Global Citizens Award, she gained competence to continue making positive changes around the world. She has been a public health champion outside of the classroom by educating peers on community issues and representing USF in the Feeding Tampa Bay Student Ambassadors program. Her membership coordinator role at the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay has allowed her to educate younger students.
Currently, Tondo serves as a health support intern at the Florida Department of Health, working closely with the immunizations and hepatitis outreach teams to provide vaccines and preventative care information to at-risk groups in the area.
Story courtesy of USF Student Affairs.