On March 13, the IHSD Department hosted a Career Alumni Panel, an inspiring and deeply resonant gathering of recent graduates, current students, and faculty. Originally scheduled for late January, the event was postponed in response to the rapidly unfolding challenges facing the public health sector in the early days of the new U.S. administration. In the span of just a few weeks, the field of global public health endured significant upheaval—sweeping cutbacks to federal agencies, abrupt cancellation of USAID-funded projects, and the freezing of countless grant-funded positions. In the face of these harsh realities, a decision was made and supported by our panelists to move forward with the panel as it was clear that, now more than ever, our community needed space to come together, reflect, and support one another.
The hybrid panel featured alumni navigating these turbulent times with courage and resilience. At the time of the panel, the roles of the panelists spanned international NGOs, state-level public health, and implementation science, offering students a window into the rich diversity of careers that public health training can lead to. Riley Fedewa (formerly with Pathfinder International), Aaron Elkins (Louisiana Department of Health), Theresa Ridings (formerly with Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation), and Allison Rutherford (The Policy and Research Group) shared candid reflections on their paths from graduate school into the workforce. Several panelists had been directly affected by the ongoing disruptions. Two had recently been placed on furlough due to funding losses—yet they chose to show up and share their stories, offering both vulnerability and pragmatic insight. They spoke honestly about what these shifts have meant for their work, their mental health, and their evolving job search strategies. Far from presenting polished success stories, they modeled adaptability and perseverance. Their networking tips, reflections on the value of professional relationships, and concrete examples of how they were staying engaged in the field offered much-needed guidance to students preparing for an uncertain job market.
Beyond career advice, the panel also served a broader purpose. It became a space for collective processing—for students to ask difficult questions, for alumni to share in solidarity, and for faculty to reaffirm the department’s commitment to training public health leaders grounded in values of justice, community, and global responsibility.
Despite the challenges, there were also moments of hope. The panelists’ presence underscored the power of community and mentorship that continues even after students graduate from IHSD.
While this is undeniably a time of transition and instability for both the global and domestic public health sectors, the need for skilled, thoughtful, and resilient public health professionals has never been greater. We are extremely proud of our alumni—not only for what they have achieved, but for the way they continue to lead with humility and resolve.
