Partnership Hubs bring students from classroom to community across NC

Located in Cumberland, Durham, Halifax and Jackson counties, these hubs provide resources and expertise to bolster local public health efforts. Faculty, staff and students collaborate with community organizations on projects that address each county’s unique health priorities.

The Hubs also offer practicum opportunities — summer or semester-long internships — for Master of Public Health students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Several first-year MPH students completed their practicum work in hub counties this year and shared insights from their experiences.

Practicum opportunities let MPH students put their public health education into action and discover what the practice of public health looks like outside the classroom.

Cumberland County

Aisha Siddiqi, health policy and management

Siddiqi worked with the Southeastern N.C. Healthy Start program, supported by public health departments in Cumberland and Hoke counties. Healthy Start provides resources such as baby carriers, classes and educational materials to new parents. Siddiqi and fellow student Shannon Micklewright created social media campaigns and marketing materials to connect new mothers with program offerings online.

Durham County

Anna Gilbert, health behavior, dual MD/MPH

Gilbert partnered with the Durham Center for Senior Life, focusing on funding strategies, building a grants database and drafting applications. She also conducted a mixed-methods impact evaluation — including a literature review, survey design and participant interviews — to assess the center’s effect on physical activity and quality of life.

Aaliyah Goodman, applied epidemiology

Goodman evaluated Duke University Hospital’s Violence Recovery Program, which links victims of violence to community resources such as mental health care, education and housing. She analyzed demographic and injury data, along with resource connections up to a year post-discharge, to help improve program services.

Jacob Woodford, public health data science

Woodford collaborated with Durham County to enhance air quality tracking by integrating an Air Quality Index API into the county website. He also assisted with a community health assessment, collecting survey data at a local farmers market, and said the experience highlighted the symbiotic relationship between public health departments and communities.

Halifax County

Krishanda Sue Lucas, nutrition

Lucas developed a feasibility plan and grant materials for a commercial kitchen at the Hattie Palmer Staton Senior Center in Scotland Neck. The project aims to expand senior meal preparation and delivery and strengthen food access countywide. Lucas assessed infrastructure needs, regulatory considerations and funding strategies.

Samantha Schild, global health

Schild worked with the Rosalene M. Moore Cancer Awareness Foundation, known locally as the Fighters Foundation, to support cancer patients in Halifax, Northampton and Nash counties. She created a long-term work plan for establishing a hospice care facility, researched funding opportunities, contributed to a grant proposal and drafted a press release to attract community support.

Francesca Walker, health behavior

Walker partnered with Halifax County’s health director to assess health priorities and barriers to care in rural communities. She reviewed needs assessments and strategic plans, identifying gaps in vaccination rates and telehealth access for veterans.

Jackson County

Isabel Cody, health behavior

Cody worked with the Jackson County Department of Public Health to create a tobacco cessation presentation for county employees, later converted to video. She also helped design a survey on loneliness and isolation to determine whether these issues hinder community engagement.

Leah Maness, applied epidemiology

Maness, an MPH@UNC student, collaborated with Friends of the Jackson County Greenways to survey residents about greenway use and motivations. She compiled findings into a 30-page report incorporating health assessment data, which supported grant applications for greenway expansion by demonstrating community support and health benefits.

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Through these practicum experiences, Gillings students strengthened local health systems while gaining practical skills to advance public health across N.C.