The end of the semester and the excitement of graduation season is felt by everyone engaged in the GPH enterprise: students, faculty, alumni, staff — even colleagues and friends around the world. But I’m directing my commentary today to those who will soon be celebrating a milestone achievement and joining the GPH alumni community:
Dear GPH Class of 2024 (Yes, you!)
Congratulations! You’re finally nearing the end; you’ve made it through the late-night cramming, the intense projects and papers, the endless extracurriculars, and so much more that made your GPH experience unique.
I’m thrilled for you as you embark on this new chapter of your life. I know it’s equally marked with excitement, but also uneasiness as you walk into the unknown. Allow yourself to inhale joy and exhale worry, as you revel in this moment and bask in your glory. Embrace the victory you’ve achieved in joining the ranks of public health professionals committed to improving the quality of life for people around the globe.
You are graduating at a time when public health is more relevant and visible than ever, and our health and economic stability require an effective public health system more than ever before. As you transform from a student to an alum at GPH, your graduation will usher in a shift in your view and understanding, as you grow to become the heroes in many lives in the communities you serve. Trust your greatness and lean into it fully!
The GPH Alumni Board works hard to engage and support GPH graduates and our network of over 3,000 alumni across 40 countries. Over the past year, we focused our priorities on:
- mentoring and career connection opportunities at our annual Networking Mixer;
- hosting reunion celebrations and thought-provoking panel discussions with distinguished leaders in public health during Alumni and Families Weekend;
- sharing academic and professional development insights and strategies via our Office Hours sessions and our presence at GPH Career Expos;
- fostering GPH alumni representation at admitted student events around the world, and celebrating our newest GPH graduates at an annual reception.
It is an honor to continue to serve you and the broader GPH community as President of the GPH Alumni Board. As you cherish the fruits of your hard work and prepare to walk across the stage, be assured that GPH faculty, staff and the Alumni Board will be here to support you, and we hope you’ll stay connected with our ever-growing community. We look forward to hearing about your future successes and your personal evolution as a public health professional.
Wishing you a wonderful graduation season ahead, and again – Congratulations!
DeRonn Kidd, MBA, MPH '14
GPH Alumnus and President of the GPH Alumni Board