At USF’s College of Public Health (COPH), no two paths into public health look exactly the same. For recent MPH graduate Samantha Shanahan and current MPH student Alexis Jarvis, their journeys converge around a shared belief in prevention, education and the power of community in the health promotion and behavior (HPB) concentration.
Both from Florida, Shanahan, being a Sarasota native, and Jarvis, who grew up in Melbourne before moving to the Tampa area, arrived at public health through very different entry points.
“I became introduced to public health through my own personal experiences with women’s health,” Shanahan said. “I realized that prevention strategies and community health programs are the first line of defense in promoting positive health outcomes in communities and populations.”
For Jarvis, the turning point came on a global scale during COVID-19. She said the pandemic sparked a broader understanding of how health systems operate and where they fall short.
“I realized that addressing issues at the source, using an ‘upstream’ approach, makes the biggest difference for the most people,” she said.
Alexis Jarvis (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
Now both are building careers rooted in that shared philosophy, even as their interests take shape in different ways.
Shanahan’s work centers on maternal and child health, with a particular focus on postpartum care and exclusive breastfeeding.
“I am especially passionate about maternal and child health because I believe supporting individuals during vulnerable or early stages of life is essential for promoting long-term health across the life course,” she said.
She has taken that passion beyond the classroom, conducting her own research and staying engaged with current literature to better understand how policy, education and community programs can improve outcomes.
Samantha Shanahan (Photo courtesy of Shanahan)
Jarvis, on the other hand, is drawn to the broader systems that shape community health. Her passion lies in building resilient communities and strengthening programs that can reach people before health issues escalate.
Both students credit the COPH with giving them the tools to turn those passions into practical skills.
“The HPB program emphasizes evidence-based practices, research and community engagement,” Shanahan said. “That aligns closely with my future goals of becoming a health education specialist and making a meaningful impact in my local community.”
Jarvis, already a USF alumna who earned her undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary social sciences in 2017, said returning for her MPH felt like an easy decision.
“Since I was already a USF alumna, living in Tampa and the COPH is the best program in the state, the decision to return was a no-brainer,” she said. Once in the program, she found an environment that matched her expectations. “The instructors bring their passion and experience to the classroom and the courses are very intentional and well thought out.”
Inside and outside the classroom, both have found opportunities to grow. Shanahan points to her applied practice experience with Tampa Well as a defining moment.
“I worked on developing educational materials and health promotion content designed to support wellness initiatives within the Tampa Bay region,” she said. “The outcome was accessible health education materials that helped promote awareness of healthy behaviors and wellness practices in the community.”
Jarvis has immersed herself in hands-on learning through involvement in the COPH’s Activist Lab, Hillsborough County’s Healthy Living Program and peer-to-peer events. These experiences helped her explore how community-based initiatives can create lasting change.
Their time at the COPH has also been shaped by the people around them. Shanahan credits faculty mentors like alumna Dr. Cheryl Vamos for influencing her academic and professional direction.
“Her passion and work in health literacy and maternal and child health have motivated me to pursue a career where I can contribute to improving population health using theory and the social determinants of health,” she said.
Jarvis finds inspiration in leadership as well, pointing to figures like Drs. Donna Petersen and Karen Liller. She was also impressed by the accessibility of college leadership.
“How much I’ve been able to interact with the dean surprises me most,” she said, speaking of Dr. Sten Vermund. “He is very personable and interactions with him feel authentic.”
Alexis Jarvis (Photo courtesy of Jarvis)
While their academic journeys have been rewarding, both students acknowledge the challenges that come with graduate school. For Shanahan, balancing coursework, work and personal commitments, along with managing anxiety, has required resilience.
“These experiences have helped me grow stronger,” she said, noting that those lessons will carry into her professional life.
Jarvis found the initial step into the program to be her biggest hurdle.
“Getting started was the hardest part for me,” she said. But once she found her footing, she built momentum, earning Dean’s List honors in her first semester.
Shanahan recalls presenting her research to peers and community members as a highlight, while Jarvis points to a more unexpected memory.
“Dr. Vermund singing ABBA karaoke at the COPH picnic is a favorite moment of mine,” she said, laughing at the reminder that even in a rigorous program, there is room for fun.
Looking ahead, both are focused on turning their education into impact. A recent COPH graduate, Shanahan plans to work in maternal and child health, ideally with the Florida Department of Health, while continuing her professional development as a certified health education specialist and eventually a certified lactation consultant.
“I want to help mothers and families receive the education and support they need to promote healthy outcomes for both infants and mothers,” she said.
Samantha Shanahan (Photo courtesy of Shanahan)
Jarvis, who anticipates graduating in 2027, is interested in community program development and evaluation, with a long-term vision that reaches even further.
“My dream job is to work for the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services,” she said.
Despite their different paths and ambitions, both Bulls share a belief in the role of public health as a force for meaningful change.
“The COPH rocks because it prepares students with real-world experience, skills and knowledge to create meaningful programs and improvements in community and population health,” Shanahan said.
Jarvis agreed, adding her own perspective. “They practice what they preach.”