By Catherine Jeffery
Micaela Gaviola
2020 May’s Family RISE Scholarship Recipient
BSPH Community Health & Epidemiology
Micaela Gaviola is currently a double major in community health and epidemiology. After her freshman year, she loved all of the support she received in public health and how applicable each course was to life.
“With epidemiology, even though it has a reputation that you are in a desk and getting stats all day, getting feedback from your colleagues and working with community partners really motivates you to do good work and stay passionate about what you are doing,” she said. “Just emphasizing the importance of collaboration in public health is what I have taken away from both of my majors.”
For Micaela, the scholarship is helping her achieve her dream of receiving an education.
“My family immigrated from the Philippines and my parents have stressed education my entire life. My parents inspired me to do better and achieve my educational dreams and this scholarship allowed me to achieve my educational dreams and create a better future for myself.”
Micaela said she is not sure there is a way to properly thank FSPH donors enough.
“They are building futures through these donations. I’m fortunate for this financial support and I know that not everyone has this opportunity. Alumni giving has definitely made an impact on my life.”
Kaley Liang
2020 FSPH Graduate Scholarship Recipient
MPH – Social & Behavioral Sciences Concentration
Kaley Liang went to IU Bloomington for undergraduate studies and majored in biology. “My goal was to go to med school but I was also heavily involved in a public health organization that was a big part of my undergrad experience,” Liang said.
“I decided to come to IUPUI to pursue a different masters and took an optional elective through that program.”
Since she already had an interest in public health, she took an Intro to Public Health course and loved it.
“I realized after that course, that is where I wanted to go. Dr. Jack Turman and others helped me recognize my passion and that is how I ended up here.”
Kaley said receiving the FSPH Graduate Scholarship came at a time when she had reduced hours as a server.
“This scholarship helped cover my tuition during the fall and alleviated some of the stress I felt. I knew in the summer that I received the scholarship which allowed me to focus on my school priorities during the summer instead of focusing on earning money to cover my fall tuition.”
Kaley feels FSPH is very supportive of her passions, career and studies.
“It’s incredibly heartwarming and generous. Philanthropy has allowed me to enjoy my experience more. Thank you so much to FSPH donors!”
Are you a Fairbanks student who will be enrolled during the 2021-22 academic year?
Apply for 2021 FSPH Scholarships by March 26.
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