Isabella Cervantes

What does public health mean to you?

To me, public health means working behind the scenes while still making a difference. Whether it's educating the public through videos and posters, advocating for policy change, or investigating a new disease, these efforts help people in one way or another while still being in the background.

Why did you choose to study public health at WVU?

I chose to study public health at WVU because of the big-university feel while still getting one-on-one interactions at the School of Public Health. Everyone I have met truly wants you to succeed in all aspects and is willing to help you get there.

Have any members of the faculty or staff influenced you in a unique way?

I had Assistant Professor Anthony Peluso during my first semester at WVU, as he taught Introduction to Public Health. He genuinely makes an effort to know every one of his students. I was surprised by this because the class size was so large. He was one of my first impressions of the School of Public Health, and I believe he represents the rest of the faculty well in that regard.

What advice would you give to your freshman self?

Some advice I would give to my younger self is be patient with yourself and trust the process. Transitioning to college takes time, and sometimes more than you expect. Allow yourself to make mistakes and use them to grow as a person.

Are you involved in any additional activities?

I currently work at WellWVU to help students make informed decisions about their health and overall well-being. I enjoy working there because it's fun to talk to other students and is health education, which is public health!

Also, I've participated in community service around Morgantown on multiple occasions. I use iServe to sign up for events and log my hours. I find volunteering very fulfilling and a good way to get out and meet others.