In the course, “Disability Representation in Society,” taught by Mo West, students use art and community engagement as a tool for learning about disability justice. Read the full article: /news/2024/05/03/the-art-and-practice-of-disability-justice

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Amy Thai, Health Studies student, took a few minutes from her busy schedule to answer a few questions for SNHS.

Tell us about yourself and what led you to 56�Թ��� Bothell:

I am a first generation person in my family to attend college. I have applied to other schools in Washington but I wanted a new environment to be around and I chose 56�Թ��� Bothell. At the time I was living in Kent and I have made the decision to move more up north.

Tell us what led you to choose your program:

I actually had a hard time picking a major in the beginning. I knew I wanted to do something in the medical field but all of the STEM majors didn’t feel right at the time. Then I started to explore other majors like health studies and it opened my mind about different aspects of health itself. When I was taking more biology classes it focused on the science realm of things but taking health classes broadened the horizon.

How has your experience in your coursework helped you find your career or educational pathway (area of focus)? You may want to tell us about a moment at 56�Թ��� Bothell that you are proud of, and what has fueled your passion:

I started my first two years of college doing more biology and chemistry classes but I wanted to step out of that circle and try out some health studies classes. The first class I took was introduction to public health. This class was a perfect mix of having some science terms and along with more human connections. At the end of the quarter we had a project about issues in the community. My group landed on doing the homelessness in Seattle area. It was devastating seeing the statistics of how many people were homeless and I feel like I should be helping out more. While growing up I loved helping out people no matter what they were doing and I want to do the same after finishing school.

Share a memorable course or learning experience:

I think it would be a tie between introduction to public health and introduction to cancer biology. I liked how there was a class that mainly focuses on cancer in the health field. From previous classes they didn’t dive deep into what cancer was and this class helped me understand cancer better. This class dove into the stereotypes of what cancer is and the different types of cancer and how they can occur in the body.

What are your future plans?:

After graduating I plan on going to pharmacy technician school for about a year then taking a gap year. I want to become a pharmacist and explore other options in the health field.

Was there a faculty, staff or student service that had a positive impact on your success?:

One of my biggest supporters during my schooling has to be my mom. She has always encouraged my schooling since I was a little kid. When I told her I got accepted into 56�Թ��� Bothell she couldn’t be more happier that one of her kids was going to college. Now that I am a senior I feel like the hard work paid off and can’t wait to see my mom in the crowds when I walk the stage.

Did you feel 56�Թ��� Bothell has helped you envision how you can take your work in the classroom and put in into direct practice with community organizations?:

56�Թ��� Bothell has definitely shaped how I would work in the real world. Being at 56�Թ���B and taking the different classes about health broadened my view about what health studies really is. I am grateful that I was able to take some aspects of science classes and community base classes.

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Hilleary Nguyen, student in the Master of Science in Community Health & Social Justice program and Health Studies alum, presented at the American Public Health Association conference in November. Hilleary took the time to answer a few questions for us.

How did you end up presenting at APHA? Please tell me about your presentation. 

I got the opportunity to present at APHA due to my work with Youth in Action (YIA) for Health Equity at Touro University California. My presentation was about our YIA  project, with the combination of utilizing the youth participatory action research (YPAR) approach. This is an effective way to engage youth and increase interest in public health careers with the long-term goal of diversifying the public health workforce. 

How did you choose the Health Studies major?  Did the Health Studies major help to prepare you for your next steps in your education/career?

I chose Health Studies because I was interested in how social context and our surroundings have an effect on our overall health outcomes. I wanted to understand and know how to help make my community a better and healthier place. Health studies have absolutely prepared me for the next steps of my life. It opened my eyes to the “behind the scenes” of health rather than just the clinical setting. If it wasn’t for the introduction to public health during the Health Studies program, my next step would have looked very different. 

What made you decide to pursue the MS in Community Health & Social Justice?

Upon studying Health Studies during undergrad, I realized that we still have a lot of health and social disparity to close and one thing for sure was that I want to be that person to create change. I was looking for a graduate program where there was an emphasis on health, policy, and advocacy because, after all, that’s where the change lies. 

What are your plans after you complete the MS in Community Health & Social Justice?

I’m still quite unsure of my plans for post-graduation but one thing for sure is I want to work in an environment where everyone shares the same common goal of ensuring and improving the health of our community. Whether that may be working for the health department or an NGO, it doesn’t matter to me as long as it aligns with protecting our community. 

Is there anything else you would like to share with our audience?

Never cease to miss an opportunity. If your goal seems out of reach, don’t worry, and just go for it because the worst thing that you can do to yourself is to wonder if you could have achieved it.  APHA for me felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m very grateful. When I applied for the MSCHSJ program, I felt subpar and thought about not wasting my time to apply, but I’m very happy and thankful that I did as this will be a chapter of my life that I’ll never forget. I know it’s cliche but really, don’t just reach for the stars but the entire galaxy. 

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Tell us about yourself and what led you to 56�Թ���B:
My name is Anisa Madey, a senior at 56�Թ���B, and I am a double major in Health Studies and Science, technology, and society. I was drawn to
56�Թ���B because of the small community that is very welcoming to everyone which has helped me
forge deep relationships with my fellow students. I have had the chance to interact more
personally with professors and my fellow students because of this. 56�Թ���B has improved my
academic experience and given me a great sense of belonging through its smaller community.
The university’s inclusive and diverse environment resonated with me, and I felt it was the
perfect place to explore my interests, especially my passion for health.
Tell us what led you to choose your program: I chose to double major in Health Studies and
Science, Technology, and Society because I have a deep passion for health. I believe that health
is a fundamental aspect of well-being, and I wanted to explore it from various angles, including
its relationship with technology and society.

How has your experience in your coursework helped you find your career or educational
pathway (area of focus)?
I took an introduction to public health course as a freshman and this course has provided me with
an overview of the field of public health and helped me gain knowledge of frameworks and tools
for developing effective health interventions. I also worked on a group project addressing
healthcare disparities through innovative technological solutions. This experience solidified my
passion for using technology to improve healthcare access and equity. It motivated me to pursue
a career as a Physician Assistant/Associate, where I can advocate for the underrepresented
population.

Did you participate in a fieldwork class?
Yes, I am currently engaged in my fieldwork class in
Health Studies, focusing on social media communication assistance. I will be able to help
manage social media on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. This position will allow me to gain
experience creating other forms of health communication, such as flyers, infographics, and
potentially student video spotlights for the SNHS website and social media. This role is
incredibly exciting for me because I will enhance my communication skills and I am eager to
continue learning and contributing to the fieldwork experience.

Share a memorable course or learning experience:
One of the most memorable courses I took
at 56�Թ���B was “Social Dimensions of Health.” This course delved deep into the societal aspects of
healthcare, including how social factors impact health outcomes. It broadened my perspective
and deepened my understanding of health disparities and the importance of addressing them.

What are your future plans?
My future plan is to become a Physician Assistant/Associate. I
aim to utilize my education and experiences at 56�Թ���B to be able to give back to the community
and have a positive impact on healthcare disparities, especially for underrepresented
communities, and strive to improve access to and equity in healthcare.

Was there a faculty, staff, or student service that had a positive impact on your success?
Several faculty members at 56�Թ���B have had a significant impact on my academic journey. Their
guidance and support have been instrumental in shaping my academic and career goals. In
addition, my health studies adviser greatly influenced my career and helped me find
opportunities that matched my interests.

Did you feel 56�Թ���B has helped you envision how you can take your work in the classroom
and put it into direct practice with community organizations?
56�Թ���B’s commitment to
community engagement and experiential learning has shown me how classroom knowledge can
be applied to address real-world challenges. Through projects, internships, and fieldwork
experiences, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with community organizations and
translate theory into practice.
What else would you like to share? I am grateful for the diverse and inclusive learning
environment at 56�Թ���B, which has broadened my perspective and enriched my education. I have
had the privilege of meeting incredible peers who share my passion for health and have a similar
goal of creating a meaningful and positive change for our community.

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Tell us about yourself and what led you to 56�Թ��� Bothell.

Hi, my name is Jenny Phan and I am a first-gen student. I love trying new recipes every week so I cook a lot, I also like hiking, and doing small projects like knitting, drawing, and painting. Before attending 56�Թ���B, I was transferred from Edmonds CC after working as a CNA. I was getting my AA degree in pre-nursing and wanted to get into nursing school and 56�Թ��� was one of them. I was struggling for a while due to a career change and other circumstances. However, I realize that I still want to be in healthcare but not have much interaction with patients, so then I found the Health Studies program. The Health Studies program helps students to get prepare for graduate school as well as other advanced training. In addition, Health Studies have several possible careers for students to start and find their area of focus. I did a lot of research about locations, tuition, as well as resources between the 3 campuses of 56�Թ��� (Tacoma, Seattle, Bothell). After all, 56�Թ���B was the one that met my expectations.

How did your experience in your coursework help you find your career path (area of focus)? You may want to tell us about a moment at 56�Թ��� Bothell that you are proud of, what you’ve carried over from your education, and what has fueled your passion.

During my time at 56�Թ���B, all of the courses in the Health Studies program were amazing. My favorite part is my fieldwork class where I can gain some hands-on experience. I interned with Bloodwork Northwest, an independent, non-profit organization that has been supplying blood to our area hospital for over 70 years. I primarily focus on outreach to some areas in WA and OR to help spread the word and encourage people to donate blood. In addition to that, I also host a virtual blood drive for them. After working with them, I gained a lot of experience in customer services, outreach, and other skills. Moreover, I learned a lot about the history of blood transfusion. It was such a wonderful opportunity. This opportunity strongly encourages me to be a part of a healthcare worker and be able to help others. After taking some Leadership and Management course in the Health Studies program, I realize that I have always been passionate to become a Health Administrator/ Health Management.

Where has life taken you since graduation and what are your future plans?

After graduation, I will start working at Overlake Medical Center as a Patient Services Representative. My role is focusing on scheduling, patient registration, answering phones, and other administrative tasks. In the future, I am planning to get a master’s degree in Health Management and Informatics.

Was there a faculty, staff, or student service that had a positive impact on your success?

I am so thankful for all the faculty in the Health Studies program, especially, my academic advisor Kaitlin Wright. Kaitlin is my academic advisor for the program, she helps me a lot with how to navigate myself in the right direction so I can complete the requirement on time. I am also grateful for my experience at 56�Թ���B with the help of Dr. Jody Early, prof Jen Sengadelli, and other Health Studies faculty and staff. Without you all, we will never be successful in a Health Studies program like this.

What else would you like to share?

I also participated as a Student Representative in the Health Studies Curriculum Committee for the 2020-2021 academic year. This wonderful opportunity brought me a lot of chances to advocate for students for better courses, improved the material as well as be a part of the Health Studies program. I got a chance to suggest ideas and comments from a student perspective to evaluate the course for the future student who will be attending the Health Studies program. In addition to that, I am very proud to be a part of the Residential Life and the Diversity Center where I see myself growing every day and preparing myself for my professional career.

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Tell us about yourself and what led you to 56�Թ��� Bothell.

My name is Mindy Vu (she/hers) and I will be graduating with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Educational Studies and Health Studies.

I am an educator at heart and value identity, culture and community. I have always been interested in development and interpersonal relationships. Outside of the classroom, you can find me hiking or rollerskating when the whether is nice. Additionally, I love to create in any medium, whether that’s through videos, painting, drawing, sewing, or coordinating events, I am there. I also love being part of a community and leading awkward ice breaker so that people start talking to each other.

I would say that blessings led me to 56�Թ��� Bothell. In highschool, I only applied to two schools and I was really hoping to go to 56�Թ��� Seattle. However when my application was rejected I was devasted and 56�Թ��� Bothell was simply an alternative plan I didn’t think to much of. Yet, at 56�Թ��� Bothell and I was grateful to find a community of faculty and peers that have helped me grown in to the person, the friend, the student, the leader and the professional that I am today. Looking back on it these past four years, 56�Թ��� Bothell is more than just a small college campus but is truly a place that I call home.

How did your experience in your coursework help you find your career path (area of focus)? You may want to tell us about a moment at 56�Թ��� Bothell that you are proud of, what you’ve carried over from your education, and what has fueled your passion.

I double majored in Health Studies and Educational Studies because when it was time to apply to a major my 2nd year of college I didn’t really know. And no one else really knew either and they would scrunch their noses and say, “Oh so you want to be a health teacher and teach F.L.A.S.H (reproductive health) to middle schoolers?” It was a great assumption to combine the two majors but yes and no.

I have always been an educator and loved teaching ever since I was a kid. Maybe it was because I was an older sibling and liked to tell people what to do, but prior to college I always found myself in teaching roles as a tutor, violin teacher etc. so for a while I wanted to be a grade school teacher. Yet, my parents had a different plan. They wanted me to be a doctor/nurse because of the salary and ultimately it was the most direct career to helping people. And parts of me really tried to want to be in primary care but after my first “Intro to Cancer Bio” course learning about cells and mitosis it wasn’t something that I wanted to do despite doing well in the class.

Therefore, I think that a moment I was really proud of is when I decided to tell my parents that I didn’t have a set career and made the choice to embrace the unknowns of public health. Of course, as Vietnamese immigrants this horrified them. All they wanted for me was to be financial stable and the vague explanation of public health is was not enough. But as I went through the education and health studies courses, I began to notice that no system, or issue society, whether it’s in the education system or healthcare is isolated. For example, one quarter I took “Education in a Multicultural Classroom” class and “Social Dimensions of Health” class the topics seem entirely unrelated, yet I would reference the education course in my health studies assignments and vice versa. The majors were interdisciplinary and from a social justice lens, the point of connection that I have observed is that in America all systems were designed perfectly to be inequitable and marginalize groups based on their identities (socioeconomic status, race, gender, geographic location etc.) Positionality, intersectionality, power and privileged (all the complicated concepts and big words) these were the constant and reoccurring themes/discussions across systems and within society. Ultimately, that makes it a human problem/struggle, not just in education or health.

In conclusion, I still have a lot to learn and hope to continue to figure out how my skill sets can be best applied to make the systems better for marginalized communities.

Where has life taken you since graduation and what are your future plans?

I will be graduating Winter 2022 but I am currently in Ireland for two months on the ERASMUS Grant. I could never have imagined that I would be studying aboard but I am grateful for the opportunity to studying public health here. Through this experience I have learned a lot about public health but even more about myself and the importance of social connection and relationships with the people around us. Especially because throughout my college career the context of my learning was limited to my world in Seattle. Reflecting on it, I hope to take what I have learned in Ireland into my future career.

My future plans are to hopefully apply to purse Masters in Public Health in December. In the meantime, I will be applying for positions at nonprofits and continue to volunteer and to be involved in my Vietnamese community.

Was there a faculty, staff, or student service that had a positive impact on your success?

I owe all my success to all the people that have supported me throughout my college career. Starting with professors and mentors, and peers that have supported me through my academic and professional but also personal development.

• Dr. Jody Early, Health Studies Professor
• Layla Taylor, CBLR Program Manager
• South East Asian Past and Futures Community, SEAPF/Raissa DeSmet/Nhi Tran
• Billy DeMeyer/Carrie Newman, OTP staff and my students in Team Lavender
• Pauline Tolentino, 56�Թ���BVSA Community including Johnny Ho, Jenny Nguyen and Michelle Tran

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