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I graduated from UNCA in May of 2017 with a major in HWP and a minor in Management. After about 8 months I learned about the MPH in Asheville program and decided to pursue it. I feverishly applied and was accepted. I graduated from that program in May 2020. 

I currently work as an Assistant to the Medical-Legal Partnership between MAHEC and Pisgah Legal Services. Essentially, MAHEC refers their patients to PLS to receive free civil legal aid to improve their quality of life. The activities I perform at work are diverse. On many days I screen MAHEC patients to identify their legal need(s) and connect them with a PLS attorney or make external referrals to area nonprofits. I also work to improve the quality and efficacy of the MLP and other PLS programing, such as their Earned Income Tax Credit Program and their Health Justice (ACA) Program. Another aspect of my work is to prepare data presentations to present to MAHEC leadership and the MLP Steering Committee.

The biggest takeaway from my experience at UNCA falls outside of academic learning. It was the camaraderie with my classmates and getting to hear their thoughts on a topic or the way their past experiences informs their views. This broadened my perspective and often challenged my own perceptions. And it was the connections with HWP faculty and staff. They were supportive in times of need, they challenged me to think critically and more deeply about topics, and genuinely cared about me, my performance, and my growth as a person.

Although not all encompassing the UNCA HWP department provided me with opportunities to grow in discomfort through the curriculum and SL classes and build connections with others from different backgrounds. These experiences gave me the skills and confidence to pursue my MPH and do my current work. I am only just beginning to harvest the fruits (and vegetables) from the seeds that UNCA HWP helped me sow.