Class connects students with experts to solve real-world problems

Haniya Salih ‘26 and a team of fellow undergrads are surveying clinics across Maryland to understand how to improve patient care through remote monitoring tools, such as telehealth or wearable devices. This is a challenge medical staff at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) are interested in solving, particularly for Marylanders with chronic conditions and people who need extra support at home.

Professional woman with black glasses speaks to group of students with her hands raised in a gesture, we see 3 students from behind, one student’s face and in background a white board with words on it — Salih and other students in her team working with their partner at UM BWMC (photo by Sumaya Abdel-Motagaly)

Salih’s team is one of several in an innovative public health science course (PHSC490) that brings local organizations to campus to work with students on a real-life public health challenge.

“This course allows students to apply what they have learned in the classroom into a real world setting. Rather than made-up scenarios, our students are working with real problems, real issues that these organizations we partner with are experiencing,” said Felicia Low, associate program director for the Public Health Science program.

Students choose from several Maryland-based projects, working with health organizations such as the Tate Cancer Center, Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. Each project group has an assigned project coordinator – a student who previously took the course and has the experience to guide their team through the process.

Jah'Kei Randolph ‘26, now a project coordinator, appreciates the experience that comes with moving into a leadership role.

“I’m able to build on the skills I developed last year from being a student working on one of the projects to now being a project coordinator,” said Randolph. “Going through the whole process again but now with a different role has been very fun.”

It challenges them, stretches them and gives them a tangible sense of what it means to do this work in the real world.

Shannon Edwards Experiential Learning Manager, Public Health Science

Low and Shannon Edwards, the experiential learning manager for the Public Health Science program, developed the course two years ago with funding from the Do Good Institute.

Through conversations with students, Low and Edwards realized many were looking for more opportunities to learn by doing and that not all students are able to pursue internships. So they developed a course open to all public health students offering access to the essential, career-building experiences that internships often provide.

“This class is a way to bring projects to campus for students who may not have the opportunity and availability for an internship,” said Low.

GRoup of 4 students with a professional stand in front of a white. board

Student groups recently met with their project partners to give a mid-term update, sharing progress and incorporating feedback to refine their approaches. Edwards says the reciprocal model of the class keeps on giving.

“One of the most rewarding moments from this course so far was seeing a recent graduate come full circle. Markas Elias took this course last spring, connected with an SPH alum at our in-class professional panel, and ultimately secured a position at the public health consulting firm where the alum works,” Edwards said.

With a job right out of school, Elias didn’t forget his fellow public health students.

“This year, he returned to serve on that same panel to speak to current PHSC490 students. He shared how this course experience directly shaped his career path and helped him land the job. That’s exactly the kind of impact we hope this course has,” Edwards said.

Natalie Figueroa ‘26, a public health science major, took the course last spring and worked on a project to increase advocacy and awareness of endometriosis in Black women, partnering with Endo Black Incorporated. Now a project coordinator, she applauds the unique approach and valuable experience the class offers.

“This class is all about action,” she said. “For seniors like me who are going to be in the workforce soon, this class gives us a chance to work with public health professionals in the community and actually make a difference.”

“Ultimately, it’s about preparing students to step into the complexity of the public health landscape with confidence,” said Edwards.

“It challenges them, stretches them, and gives them a tangible sense of what it means to do this work in the real world.”

group of several female students and two professors posing smiling in front of pink wall — Shannon Edwards and Felicia Low pose with public health students in their class.

Innovative public health class brings internship experience to classroom, offering skill-building and, sometimes, a job