Chicago, IL

PROGRAM: Health Promotion, M.S.

As a graduate student representing Delaware’s State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) and the UD Partnership for Healthy Communities, I had the incredible opportunity to connect with inspiring leaders, practitioners, and community partners from across the country who are all committed to advancing equity, civic engagement, and community-driven change.

One of the highlights for me was helping facilitate our session, “Pollinators in Action: Building Bridges Through Delaware’s State Health Improvement Plan.” It was especially meaningful to share how, even without dedicated funding, our work continues to grow by focusing on what truly sustains impact—building trust, strengthening relationships, and empowering students to help bridge institutional gaps. During the session, we talked through how we co-define health priorities alongside community partners, identify gaps and opportunities across systems, and build collaborative structures that center community voice. We also shared how we leverage student talent to strengthen statewide impact and work to de-silo Delaware’s public health landscape.

I left feeling inspired by the many sessions we attended and the people we met who are reimagining what authentic community engagement can look like in action. I’m grateful to be part of this growing network of changemakers and excited to continue this work moving forward.