\n<\/p>\n
Zenab Ahmad: A Passion for Health Equity<\/strong><\/p>\n Zenab Ahmad has always believed that health is influenced by more than just personal choices. Factors like birthplace, income, and social systems also play a big role. As a soon-to-be graduate in public health from the Department of Health Sciences, she is putting her understanding into practice through hands-on work and advocacy for youth. Notably, she plans to pursue an accelerated Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in fall 2026, driven by her commitment to health equity.<\/p>\n From a young age, Ahmad recognized the inequalities within the health system. This realization inspired her to study public health, a field that matched her values and equipped her to tackle systemic issues.<\/p>\n Discovering Illinois State\u2019s accelerated master\u2019s program felt like the perfect next step. \u201cPursuing my master’s in public health felt right; there\u2019s so much to learn, and I didn\u2019t want to slow down,\u201d Ahmad said.<\/p>\n As a first-generation college student, Ahmad describes her time at Illinois State as one of her toughest yet most fulfilling experiences. \u201cThere were moments early on where I genuinely wondered if I belonged here,\u201d she admitted. But as time passed, the campus turned from an unfamiliar place into a second home.<\/p>\n Some of her most impactful experiences included collaborating with a professor on a health education program for aging women in prison and volunteering at a local food pantry with her classmates. These encounters solidified her desire to pursue a career in public health.<\/p>\n Ahmad’s internship with \u201cProject Oz,\u201d a program focused on supporting youth, was transformative. \u201cProject Oz has been one of the most enlightening experiences of my time at ISU,\u201d she noted. Through this initiative, she shared health information directly with students, witnessing shifting confusion and fear into understanding.<\/p>\n Additionally, she worked with the Youth Action Board, a group that empowers young people to advocate for their communities. \u201cYoung people can relate to their peers in ways that adults can\u2019t. Involving their perspectives in community initiatives can spark real change,\u201d Ahmad explained.<\/p>\n Ahmad believes that providing the right information to young people at the right time can create lasting effects. \u201cWhen a young person receives crucial information, they often share it with friends and family, affecting future health choices,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She has also seen remarkable resilience in young people, who persist despite facing challenges that adults may not fully grasp. Helping youth feel recognized and empowered is something Ahmad values deeply.<\/p>\n As she looks toward graduation, Ahmad hopes to illustrate how public health is woven into daily life. “Public health impacts many areas, from workplace wellness to mental health,” she stated. \u201cIt\u2019s too essential to overlook.\u201d She also wishes to motivate other students to pursue their passions. \u201cWhen you care deeply about your work, it doesn\u2019t feel like work at all,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n Five years from now, Ahmad envisions herself in a nonprofit or community organization focused on advancing health equity through education. In her free time, she also looks forward to her love of cooking and trying out new recipes.<\/p>\n As graduation approaches, Ahmad is eager to channel her passion for health equity into meaningful community impact. The College of Applied Science and Technology congratulates her on her upcoming graduation in May.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Zenab Ahmad: A Passion for Health Equity Zenab Ahmad has always believed that health is influenced by more than just personal choices. Factors like birthplace, income, and social systems also play a big role. As a soon-to-be graduate in public health from the Department of Health Sciences, she is putting her understanding into practice through<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30390,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-30389","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30389","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30389"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30389\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30389"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30389"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}A Path Built on Equality<\/h3>\n
Journey as a First-Generation College Student<\/h3>\n
An Eye-Opening Internship with Project Oz<\/h3>\n
Lasting Impact in Health Education<\/h3>\n
Future Aspirations After Graduation<\/h3>\n