COLLEGE OF HEALTH STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY COMMITTED to the health and well-being of their communities, and through internships, research, volunteering and more, they use their heads and hearts not only to learn but also to contribute to the greater good. These experiences help students engage with the community and learn about potential careers, as well as critically think about issues impacting health and well-being. Past projects have included supporting a soccer tournament and family weekend, including health screenings and service connections to the Latino community; and regional health assessments and improvement planning through the Benton County Health Department. Other community-based projects include examining partnerships between local public health authorities and matched county jails, developing and evaluating a Lunch and Learn Series for community-based organizations, and conducting analyses on heat-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations through the Oregon Health Authority. Students also volunteer within their local community. Members of the HDFS club often support Corvallis’s Vina Moses, whose mission is to help people navigate difficult times while building community resilience and overall well-being. The Healthy Aging Club recently raised money so that Samaritan Village, a housing community for lower-income adults 62+, could purchase an accessible van. OSU-Cascades and Honors College student Margaret Martin gained community experience through research on the intersection of homelessness and public health. Pre-therapy and allied health student Abigail Roth taught a human anatomy and physiology lab course as an intern in the OSU Cadaver Lab. In July, as part of a two-credit course, high-achieving undergraduates got hands-on policy experience by visiting the Oregon Legislature, attending meetings with elected officials and participating in advocacy training. “I think we have a responsibility as a university and as faculty to train students to think critically about the issues of the day,” says Associate Professor David Rothwell, the Knudson Endowed Chair in Family Policy. “I want more students in other schools and colleges to see that whatever field you’re studying, there’s a policy connected to it, whether that’s AI and technology, microplastics or marine offshore energy. We all have a role to play in making society a better place.” Students tackle issues big and small to improve community health and well-being BY KATHRYN STROPPEL Community Engagement 14 ▴ College of Health
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