Student Q&A: Kendra Shannon

As the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted Black Americans and shed a light on the importance of public health, Kendra Shannon knew she had to act. Her commitment to creating lasting change in society led her to pursue her Master of Public Health.

Learn more about what inspires her in this Q&A. 

MSU’s Master of Public Health Program Earns Accreditation  

The Michigan State University online Master of Public Health degree program (MPH) earns accreditation by signifying the highest standards of achievement and a commitment to quality education. The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) review team, composed of elected deans and directors, approved MSU’s accreditation at the CEPH Board of Councilors meeting on June 1 – 3, 2022. Accreditation begins from June 15, 2019, through July 1, 2027.

2022 Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award

MSU Division of Public Health is proud to announce Linda Cornish as one of the recipients of the 2022 Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award. “I could not think of a more dedicated staff member deserving of this very important Jack Breslin award,” said Wayne McCullough, PhD, interim director of the College of Human Medicine Division of Public Health and director of the Master of Public Health Program. 

National Public Health Week 2022

During National Public Health Week, April 4 - 10, we honor faculty, alumni, students, staff, community partners, and professionals that are dedicated to making communities safer, stronger, and healthier. Together we strive to create the healthiest nation.

We invite you to check out highlights of some of the work being accomplished by Spartans working in public health. 

Celebrating Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month, which is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. 

This year’s theme is a tribute to the work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the ways women inspire others. We've asked MSU Public Health faculty and staff to share who inspires them and drives their passion to make a difference. 

Celebrating Black History Month

In recognition of Black History Month, we're highlighting Spartans in Public Health who dedicate their talents to addressing health disparities in Flint and beyond. At Michigan State University Public Health, we work in the areas of improving the health of Black men and women, racial disparities in mental health, colorectal cancer awareness, nutrition, healthy aging, and more. Explore the work of our researchers and faculty members.

Addressing HEALTH for the Formerly Incarcerated

The number of individuals released from state and federal prison has increased substantially in recent years. According to The Bureau of Justice Statistics, in the United States, about 5 million formerly incarcerated adults (returning citizens) are under community supervision (e.g. probation or parole) at any given time. And these returning citizens face numerous barriers—inadequate housing, poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to nutritious food and physical activity.

A Shout Out to Student Health

What do students need to maintain a healthy lifestyle while in college? That’s what Spartan in Public Health alumnus John Matkovic’s research focuses on.

“We all know that students enter college with different levels of readiness on how to study, how to be healthy while in college,” said Matkovic, who earned his bachelor’s degree in microbiology (’06) and his master of public health (MPH) (’11) from Michigan State University.

Mott Foundation Grants $25 Million to MSU to Expand Public Health Initiatives in Flint

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has granted $25 million to expand the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine’s public health presence in Flint. The grant will create an endowed fund to increase public health faculty, academic research and community health collaborations.

The Path Forward is Not Always Straight

Tamara Jordan, DO, MLS (ASCP), has overcome numerous adversities in her life to get to the point where she is today. Her path was anything but straightforward. Jordan and her two siblings grew up in a single-parent home in Flint, Mich. During her senior year in high school, she was a victim of a gunshot wound to the abdomen—an experience that would lead her to pursue a medical career. During her freshman year at Michigan State University, she became pregnant; as a single parent, she attended school full-time while holding a full-time job.

How to Increase Awareness and Uptake of Antibody Testing in Flint

A team of MSU researchers seeks answers to understand the barriers to COVID-19 antibody testing and vaccinations in Flint. A research team collects data to understand which public health communication strategies are most effective. Volunteers from the Flint Registry drive up to a “Root beer stand-style” testing station; MSU will compare antibody status to COVID-19 exposure and vaccination rates among Flint residents using a salivary testing tool.

Accreditation Update from MPH Director

As part of the accreditation process, the Michigan State Master of Public Health (MPH) program has been engaged in a self-study of the program’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement related to the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation criteria. Our site visit with the accreditors concluded on November 12, 2021. Having met all 35 criteria, the Council on Education for Public Health Board of Councilors acted to accredit the Michigan State University Master of Public Health from June 15, 2019, through July 1, 2027.