While enrollment UNMC grew for the 22nd year in a row this fall, the UNMC College of Public Health was one of the areas that saw the greatest increase.
The college saw a 5% increase in enrollment, with a total of 393 students this fall — its most ever, drawing from 42 states and 21 countries.
“Our students now represent a cross section of the whole United States and increasingly the world,” said Dean Ali Khan, MD, MPH. “They are committed to improving the health of their communities and were attracted to the college’s world-class teaching program and its focus on innovative solutions for our numerous global public health challenges.”
Dr. Khan pointed to an expanding interest in public health but also the excellent educational reputation of the college itself as two factors fueling the rise, as well as the recent rise in exposure of issues such as COVID-19 and other areas that will require public health solutions.
COPH student Kolawole Salami, MD, from Geneva, Switzerland, is pursuing his doctor of public Health with a concentration in epidemiology. He said the flexibility offered by UNMC’s online programs was the perfect fit when he decided to continue his public health education.
“As a public health physician, coordinating the research pillar of WHO response to emerging infectious diseases and high-threat pathogens with the potential to cause epidemics and pandemics, I realized I needed to improve my epidemiological skills to meet the critical demands of my work schedule,” he said.
“The UNMC College of Public Health has an excellent reputation in epidemiology. The institution also has a group specializing in epidemic preparedness. This unique combination is a rarity in many public health schools, making the program particularly attractive.”
Jess Cleghorn, from Minneapolis, is pursuing her master of public health in maternal and child health.
Cleghorn learned about the college through the SOPHAS website, the college application service for public health students, and she said it was her top choice for grad school. She cited the college’s nationally ranked programs and the flexibility of the course offerings.
“When looking into the program further, I found an atmosphere that was distinguished and supportive, which confirmed my desire to attend UNMC,” Cleghorn said.
Click here for more information about the programs at the COPH or admissions information.