Katharine Swesey

What does public health mean to you?

Public health is the best way to make an impact on so many people at once. Public health is not only a way for me to share my dedication to my country but also to its people. During times when society loses faith in public health officials, I plan to do everything in my power to rebuild that trust between us and our communities who so desperately need this support.

Why did you choose to study public health at WVU?

I chose to study public health, because I wanted to make an impact on as many people as possible. While I also serve active duty in the Army, I recognize that so much trust has been lost over the past few years. It is so important to make people feel safe, seen and heard. With a degree in public health, I’ve gained so much insight on how to do this effectively and as efficiently as possible.

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

While all the staff member have so much knowledge to share, Professor Misra has been the most outstanding mentor during my time here at WVU. Her passion for teaching shines through everything she does. She brings an enthusiasm to the table that is sometimes hard to find in our line of work. Professor Misra empowers her students to be as bold and as caring as possible, and I hope I can have that effect on people as well.

Tell us about your field placement experience or other hands-on experiences.

I chose to work with a nonprofit called Libera, which serves young women and girls in West Virginia to help shed light on their stories. I mainly worked with the girls that attended the Mountaineer Challenge Academy on Camp Dawson. This is a quasi-military school that demands discipline and respect. I learned so much about the needs of rural West Virginia girls, and how important it is to consistently empower them to accomplish anything they can dream of.

What would you tell prospective students about WVU and the School of Public Health?

I know it sometimes seems like it’s a scary time in the public health community, but I promise this is when we need to work the hardest and become the most dependable for our communities.

What advice would you give to your freshman self?

Imposter syndrome is a real thing. I would go back and tell myself that I deserve to be here.

How have your experiences in the School of Public Health helped prepare you for your future?

My experiences during my graduate program have taught me that sometimes you just need to be the loudest voice in order to make an impact on communities that need help. So often people go unheard, especially in rural communities. It’s so important to always be an advocate and always put yourself in a position to help and educate people on why this is so important.

What do you plan to do upon completion of your degree?

While completing my graduate program, I was also part of a program in the Army called “Green to Gold” that allowed me to participate in ROTC and commission as a second lieutenant in the Army upon graduating. After graduation, I will go back on active duty orders where I will be stationed in Washington state at Joint Base Lewis-McChord for the next couple of years. I will always use my platform to help and advocate for people, whether that’s in the Army or in small communities.

Any additional involvement in activities or comments about the program?

Thank you to the faculty and staff for being the best possible mentors a young woman could ask for.