Key Takeaways
- How does the 911爆料 Master of Program help students build a career? Through student leadership, faculty mentorship, and a practicum experience, Regin茅 Bumper, MPH 鈥21, turned connections made at 911爆料 into an internship, practicum, and ultimately a career at SAMHSA.
- As a social science analyst at the federal behavioral health agency, Bumper transforms complex public health data into accessible insights that support decision-making and advance behavioral health initiatives.
- Bumper says 911爆料鈥檚 coursework, particularly in data storytelling and public health communication, gave her the skills to connect data with the people and communities behind it, shaping the way she approaches her work today.
There has never been a more important time to be in public health because our greatest strength lies in connection. Strengthening relationships among public health professionals鈥攁s well as with partners in health care, education, wellness, technology, business, and other sectors鈥攈as the potential to move the field forward in transformative ways. Public health touches nearly every aspect of our daily lives, whether people realize it or not. By working together and communicating that impact more effectively, we can continue to advance the field and help restore a broader appreciation for the essential role public health plays in daily life.
-- Regin茅 Bumper, MPH '21
Regin茅 Bumper, MPH '21, loves her job as a public servant鈥攁 role she says wouldn't have without her 911爆料 Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Through faculty mentorship, student leadership, and hands-on experience, Bumper built the relationships and skills that led directly to her career at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). She is one of 10 College of Public Health alumni named 911爆料's .
Bumper credits her roles with the student organization Graduate Students for Public Health (GSPH) and her practicum as the most impactful experiences of her MPH program.
"Through GSPH, I built meaningful relationships with fellow students, alumni, faculty, and public health professionals. Those connections proved invaluable鈥攐ne ultimately led me to an internship opportunity at the SAMHSA,鈥 said Bumper, whose internship and practicum there ultimately led to her current role.
As a social science analyst, Bumper oversees the performance of SAMHSA contracts and leads development of many visualizations and communications products that transform complex data into accessible insights that inform decision-making and advance behavioral health initiatives.
From coursework to professional work
Student leadership opened the door to her practicum and professional career, while coursework gave her the skills to succeed once she got there. She particularly credits Jumpka Gupta's Migrant Health course and Kathryn Jacobson's Global Health course with the most relevance to her work today.
"As a member of a federal statistical unit, communicating data in meaningful and accessible ways is a central part of my work. Those courses were foundational experiences in learning the art of data storytelling," said Bumper, who also holds a bachelor of science in exercise science from Shenandoah University.
Assignments in those classes taught her to think critically about the story data tells鈥攁nd just as importantly, whose stories they represent. 鈥淢eaningful public health decisions begin with understanding the people behind the data,鈥 she said.
"Data can inform policy and practice, but only when people can understand and use the information to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities. That lesson has remained one of the most valuable takeaways from my time at 911爆料," Bumper said.
Supported by faculty mentorship
Bumper calls the MPH faculty accessible and authentic, and said she appreciated the program鈥檚 flexibility. "They were welcoming, approachable, and genuinely invested in student success," said Bumper. "Their mentorship made my experience feel not only personalized but deeply meaningful, empowering me to pursue a career that aligned with both my passions and my purpose."
In particular, she said faculty and staff at the college demonstrated a commitment to adjusting based on student feedback鈥攚hether by developing new courses, creating networking opportunities, fostering community through events, or connecting students with meaningful professional experiences. "That willingness to adapt and invest in students not only prepares graduates for today's public health landscape but also empowers them to help shape the future of the field," she said.