Graduate Student Ambassadors represent a diverse group of students that strive to inspire, connect with, and represent past, present, and future College of Public Health graduate students.

What we do

• Communicate and connect with prospective and admitted students through:
  • Social media channels like Facebook and Instagram
  • Podcast episodes that feature current students, faculty, and experts from the field of public health
  • College events such as student panels, visit days, and student tours
• We reach out to alumni through:
  • Alumni board lunches, conferences, email correspondence, and networking events
  • Conference socials
  • Networking Events
  • Social Media

To connect with a graduate student ambassador, please email us at cph-admissions@uiowa.edu

Meet Our Ambassadors

Grace Gerdts

Second-Year PhD Epidemiology

Grace Gerdts (she/her) is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Epidemiology. She received a B.S. in Biology concentrated in genetics and biotechnology and a B.S. in Mathematics concentrated in biomathematics from the University of Iowa in 2021. Following her undergraduate education, she received her MPH concentrated in biostatistics from the University of Iowa College of Public Health in 2023. She currently works as a GRA for Dr. Nichole Nidey, and her research interests include maternal and child health, substance use disorders, healthy equity and social justice, and maternity care. Outside of the academic space, she serves as the president of Here to Help, treasurer of the College of Public Health Graduate Student Association, lead Graduate Student Ambassador, a PhD representative in the Epidemiology Student Association, and an external communications chair for the Maternal and Child Health Student Interest Group. She enjoys reading, being outdoors, and hanging out with friends and family in her free time. 

Caroline Carter

First-Year MPH/MHA Health Management and Policy

Caroline Carter is a first-year MPH/MHA student in the Department of Health Management and Policy. She is originally from Iowa City, and her journey in public health began when she earned my B.S. in Public Health at the University of Iowa in 2020. Within her education, she has specific interests in child and maternal health. She has explored this interest through her work with the Upstream Clinic and the Stead Family Children’s Hosptial. Outside of her education, she loves hiking, running, and spending time with family. Please feel free to contact her with any questions!

Allison Darling

Second-Year MPH Occupational and Environmental Health

Allison is from Kansas City, MO and is a second-year MPH student studying Occupational and Environmental Health while also pursuing a certificate in Urban Transportation Planning. She received her B.A. in Business Administration and Environmental Studies, as well as a minor in Economics from Coe College in August of 2023. Allison is a TA at the College of Public Health, a LEND trainee through the CDD, and Co-President of the College of Public Health Graduate Student Association. Her academic interests include health law and environmental law!

Natalie Doering

Second-Year MPH Epidemiology

Natalie is a second-year MPH student in the Department of Epidemiology. She is originally from Ankeny, Iowa, and received a B.S. in Public Health and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Iowa in 2024. She currently serves as a research assistant for the Iowa Vital Voices Project and Iowa Rural Vitality evaluation team, as well as a teaching assistant in the College of Public Health. She is a current Maternal and Child Health scholar and Vice President for the Maternal and Child Health Student Interest Group. 

Grace Ellis

Second-Year MPH Community and Behavioral Health

Grace is an Iowa City native and is a second-year MPH Student in the Community and Behavioral Health Department. She graduated with her B.A. in Public Health from the University of Iowa as well. She’s especially interested in health promotion, health equity, and community preparedness. She is a Health Promotion Assistant with Student Wellness so she helps with their programs and outreach events. She loves being an ambassador to tell folks how awesome the College of Public Health is. 

Maxwell Hansen

First-Year MS Epidemiology

Max Hansen is a first-year MS student in the Epidemiology Department and is completing the final year of his bachelor’s in public health. His undergraduate research includes studies on e-cigarette content on TikTok and Latent Tuberculosis distribution within the county. Max is also active in several organizations and is currently focused on mental health research.

Parker Harlow

Second-Year MPH Health Management and Policy

Parker Harlow is a second-year MPH Health Policy student in the Health Management and Policy Department. She received her B.S. in Public Health from the University of Iowa in 2024 and have been a part of the Student Ambassador team since 2021. In addition, she is president of the Health Policy Student Association and currently work in a preterm infant lab that looks at neural development and behavioral outcomes. She also has internship experiences in state legislatures and healthcare consulting. She is always happy to answer questions about Iowa and as always, Go Hawks!   

Emily Janio

First-Year PhD Community and Behavioral Health

Emily is an MD-PhD student completing her PhD in the Community and Behavior Health Department with Dr. Natoshia Askelson. She completed her bachelor’s in physiology at UCLA and her MPH at UC Irvine. Her research interests lie in learning to use both quantitative and qualitative methods to develop and implement interventions in clinical settings aimed at improving access to and quality of healthcare. Originally from southern California, Emily selected Iowa for her graduate studies because of the collaborative environment and the accessibility of the outdoors. In her free time, Emily enjoys hiking and fishing. She’s excited to be an ambassador to share her love of Iowa with applicants.

Emily Jensen

Second-Year MHA Health Management and Policy

Emily is a second-year MHA student in the Department of Health Management and Policy. She completed her B.A. in Public Health from the University of Iowa where she originally joined the student ambassadors as an undergraduate. Emily is also the Vice President of Professional Development for the Iowa Student Association of Healthcare Leaders. She found her passion for rural health during her undergrad when she served as a research assistant for the PRC in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health, working on projects aimed towards addressing health disparities in rural communities. As a passionate advocate for rural health, she is also an active member in the Student Association of Rural Health. As a lifelong Iowan and Hawkeye, Emily is always happy to answer questions and share more about her experiences at Iowa!

Jada McDonald

Second-Year MPH Health Management and Policy

Jada McDonald is a second-year graduate student in the HMP department getting her MPH in policy. She received her B.A. from the University of Iowa in Public Health with a minor in Social Justice. She is a member of the American Public Health Association and the Iowa Public Health Association as well as a member of several student organizations one being the Health Policy Student Association. She has worked for several organizations working on policy libraries, community engagement, and social justice projects. Now, she is an Outreach and Programming assistant for the Women’s Resource and Action Center at the University of Iowa where she founded the “Period Project” which is an initiative to improve access and education to menstruation products. Additionally, she works as a Violence Prevention Assistant at the University of Iowa, and she is a member of the Maternal Health Scholars. Her primary interests include women’s health, maternal health outcomes, maternal health policy initiatives, and addressing racial inequities and social determinants of health. Outside of school she likes to go to the gym, travel, and watch movies!

Tristan Milarch

First-Year PhD Epidemiology

Tristan is from Grand Rapids, Michigan where he received a dual bachelors degree in Biology and Business Administration. He is a recent graduate of Cornell University’s Master’s in Public Health (MPH) program. At the University of Iowa, Tristan is a current Teaching Assistant and an avid member of the Here2Help (H2H) student organization. Tristan is also a member of several public health organizations such as the Massachusetts Medical Society, UNA-USA Global Goals Ambassador Program, and the Global Water Alliance. Outside of education, Tristan enjoys the great outdoors, sports, and spending time with family in Northen Michigan.

Kassie Owens

Second-Year MHA/MPH Health Management and Policy

Kassie Owens (she/they) is a second year MHA/MPH student in the Department of Health Management and Policy. They are a returning graduate student ambassador and have enjoyed engaging with the CPH community in multiple organizations including the Iowa Student Association of Healthcare Leaders and the LGBTQ+ Advocates for Health Equity. Kassie is interested in pursuing a career in non-profit and/or government health reform, policy, advocacy, and financing. In their free time, they often explore Iowa City (especially the restaurants, bars, and cafes), play video games and tabletop games with friends, watch movies, and go to concerts. 

Caroline Powell

First-Year MS Occupation and Environmental Health

Caroline Powell (she/her) is a first-year MS student in Agricultural Safety & Health. She received her B.A. in International Studies with a focus on Environmental Sustainability & Global Health from American University. Originally from New York City, the CDC’s Public Health Associate Program brought her to Iowa City where she has been stationed at the Iowa Cancer Consortium, the state’s comprehensive cancer coalition. There, she has developed education and outreach for cancer screening and early detection, radon, health literacy promotion, and environmental and occupational cancer risk reduction. She is currently serving as the Consortium’s Environmental Outreach Coordinator and staff lead for their Cancer and the Environment Task Force.  She hopes to dive deeper into risk perception and health behavior, health communication, and Total Worker Health during her time at the University of Iowa.