Dr. Jocelyn Chu is the Director of Community Engaged Learning,  the Associate Director of DrPH Program at Harvard Chan, and an Instructor in the Office of Education. The focus of her work is in field based education and community engaged learning. In her work with the DrPH Program, Dr. Chu develops partnerships with host organizations and designs field based opportunities to engage students in team processes and leadership development. In her role for community engaged learning, Dr. Chu leads the Community Engaged Learning Fellowships program which centers on a practice of critical reflection and transformative learning. Dr. Chu is involved in several courses in the DrPH program and teaches SBS 501 – Community Based Participatory Research.

Ken Ong is the Mississippi Delta Partnership in Public Health Program Teaching Fellow. Prior to joining Harvard, Ken served as an assistant professor in global health in Tokyo, Japan. His research in social medicine focused on malaria and neglected tropical diseases in Lao PDR. As a research and teaching fellow, he is eager to learn alongside the scholars and show them the boundless potential in the field of public health. Ken has a multicultural background, and have lived in Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. Ken enjoys learning and reading about new cultures, running, and playing badminton in his free time.

Dr. Mary M. Wesley is a proud native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and she is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.  In this position, she serves as the Delta Scholars in Public Health Teaching Fellow.  Dr. Wesley works with students, faculty, and organizations in the Mississippi Delta region and in the Harvard community to advance public health research, education, and practice in Mississippi.

As Director of Field Education and Practice, Stacey’s work focuses on developing applied and field-based learning opportunities at Harvard Chan. Previously, she worked for 10 years at Cambridge Health Alliance, with the Cambridge Public Health Department. She most recently served as the Director of the Community Health Division addressing the health of men of color, children’s oral health, violence prevention, substance abuse prevention, early childhood literacy, and health communications. In Massachusetts, she is an adviser for the Academic Public Health Corps and Community Health Network Area 17, a 6-city regional network focused on racial equity and mental health. Her work prior to public health focused on education, and sales and marketing. Stacey received an MS in Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism from Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and an AB in Psychology from Brown University.

Outside of work, she experiments with gardening and cooking Nepali food.

Maya McWilliams is an undergraduate student at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. Born in Jackson, MS, and raised in Greensboro, NC, Maya is interested in public health and environmental conservation. She wants to conduct research and publish work on food insecurity and childhood asthma in the Mississippi Delta.

In the future, Maya desires to become an advocate for causes that she holds dear to her heart, such as advancing equality and the environment,

 

 

Claire Bunn is an undergraduate student at the University of Georgia studying genetics and statistics. Raised in Marion, Arkansas in the Arkansas Delta, she is passionate about researching and combating public health disparities in communities like her own.

Claire aspires to be a physician-scientist with a focus on child and maternal health, advocating for increased healthcare access and equity for vulnerable populations.

Oluwapelumi Shodubi is an undergraduate student majoring in Biology/Biological Sciences at Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi. She is originally from Lagos, Nigeria.

Oluwapelumi is interested in reforming the public health sector through research. Her Delta Scholars project is focused on understanding students’ experiences at Mississippi Valley State University in common mental health disorders (anxiety, depression).

Oluwapelumi plans to pursue a career in public health education, global health advocacy, and epidemiology following graduation.

Keyjuan Meeks is a rising junior at Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi. . He is double majoring in Pre-law/Legal Studies & Government and Politics with a concentration in Political Science. He is from Indianola, Mississippi, where he graduated from Gentry High School as the Salutatorian of his class.

While on the campus of Mississippi Valley State, Keyjuan has held multiple positions with various organizations. He has served as Mr. Freshman and Mr. Sophomore. He is a member of the Student Alumni Association, Student Support Services and the Mock Trial team. Keyjuan has also been recently recognized as a Presidential Scholar.

Keyjuan is pursuing a career as a lawyer following graduation, focusing on the public sector.

Givon Busy is a science Education major at Mississippi Valley State University.

Givon  is from Memphis, Tennessee. A first-generation student, he has excelled in the classroom as an Honor Scholar at Mississippi Valley State University.

Givon is deeply involved in music pursuits through the drums and dancing, leading the drum section in the MVSU band, and serving as Vice President of Kappa Kappa Psi music fraternity at Mississippi Valley State University.

He enjoys the outdoors in Mississippi and hopes to pursue a career in research and education.

Kennedi is a nursing major at Alcorn State University.

Kennedi  is from Vicksburg, Mississippi. She has several academic accomplishments – Dean's List, National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society, and Presidential Scholar (Hinds Community College). Kennedi has also received national and local scholarship awards that include: NAACP/Phi Beta Sigma –  James Weldon Johnson Scholarship, Presidential Excellence Scholarship, Alyce C. Clark Leadership Scholarship, Vicksburg Homecoming Benevolent Club –  Eugene & Jessie Lee Stevens Memorial Scholarship, and the Les Soeurs Charmantes Social & Civic Club: Clara Rhodman Prosser Scholarship.

Mackenzie Bronson is a biology and pre-nursing major at Alcorn State University. She hopes to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Mackenzie is from Brandon, Mississippi. Her academic accomplishments include the 2021 Class Hall of Fame, designation as a Presidential Scholar, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.

Mackenzie is involved in her community through multiple pursuits. She serves food with Meals on Wheels. She mentors young girls to improve their self-esteem through an organization she founded – the Pampered Princess Project. She also serves as a Junior Board Member of the Maresa Williams Foundation, that provides aid to students for educational needs such as school uniforms and school supplies.

Aaliyah Gates is a first-generation college student, who is studying psychology and sociology at the University of Mississippi. She is from Bruce, Mississippi, where she graduated from Bruce High School as the Salutatorian of her class.

On campus, her academic accomplishments include: receiving the full-ride “Stamps” scholarship, being on the Dean’s Honor Roll list multiple times, and becoming a Ronald McNair Scholar. She is an ambassador for the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College & is a mentor to high school and first-year students.

Aaliyah’s career goal is to become a licensed mental health counselor, so she can advocate for mental health and work to help reduce the stigma surrounding it.

Muneebah Umar is a student at Mississippi State University studying biological sciences on a pre-med track. She is a Presidential Scholar and is in the Shackouls Honors College. In Mississippi, Muneebah has volunteered and witnessed a variety of clinical settings, especially in underserved areas. She has shadowed physicians in multiple specialties. She has conducted research in biomedical engineering and biological anthropology.

Her Delta Scholars project revolves around improving health literacy among patients who frequent health centers across Mississippi. She is working with community partners to implement initiatives within healthcare settings. As an aspiring physician, Muneebah aims to make the healthcare system one which is more equitable and accessible for patients of all backgrounds.

I'm a Mississippi Delta Native being born in Greenville, MS and then growing up in Grenada, MS. I attended highschool at Caldwell Early College Highschool in Lenoir, NC graduating highschool with two associates degrees. I'm currently majoring in Biology at Mississippi College in aspirations to attend physical therapy school. I'm a Mississippi College Honors College Scholar, member of Phi Theta Kappa honors society, member of the Mississippi College archery team, and a Willie Bradshaw Memorial Scholarship State Winner.  I'm a huge outdoorsman and get to connect to this aspect of my life through spending much time in the Mississippi Delta.

Sam Guerrero is a rising senior at the University of Alabama, originally from Prattville, AL. He is majoring in Finance with minors in Biology and Social Innovation & Leadership. Sam is involved with many student organizations at Alabama, including the University Fellows Experience, Capstone Men and Women, Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, the Anderson Society, Blue Key, Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Alabama’s Interfraternity Council, where he serves as Vice President of Judicial Affairs. Sam has been awarded Order of Omega’s Outstanding Junior Award and was named IFC’s 2022 Man of the Year.

After graduation Sam plans to apply to attend law school in hopes of becoming a civil defense litigator and eventually leaving to working in the public sector.

Bre’Anna Coleman is a senior at the University of Mississippi where she majors in Political Science with minors in Journalism, Creative Writing, and African American studies. Bre’Anna is an honors student in the Sally McDonnell Honors College and active in many campus organizations. She is the President of the Black Student Union and a senior fellow at Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship, where she recruits young Mississippi Delta natives to mold their leadership skills.  She is also a Youth Facilitator for AYLF where she guides first year fellows through their leadership development program. Bre’Anna also writes articles and captures photos for the Daily Mississippian on the campus of the University of Mississippi. She believes in using art and creative expression throughout her activism. This shines through her poetry and short stories. Bre’Anna is from Drew, Mississippi and hopes to receive her degree, pursue law school and work in public service. Her ultimate goal in all that she does is to be a resource to all and help underrepresented communities.

I am a Junior at Mississippi State University majoring in Biochemistry with a pre-med concentration. I am minoring in Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. I am a member of the Shackouls Honors College through which I plan to pursue the Cursus Honorum curriculum. I am heavily involved in the Brickfire Mentoring Program, in which once a week I visit the Brickfire Daycare in an underserved area of Starkville and mentor an assigned mentee with anything they need help with. I have worked as a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader for Calculus I through MSU's Center for Student Success where I reattended Calculus I lectures, worked closely with an assigned faculty, and held two free and optional afternoon sessions where I facilitated further learning of the material through a variety of collaborative learning techniques. I have shadowed physicians and volunteered at multiple hospitals in Mississippi.

This semester I will work as a SI Mentor, where I will observe other SI leaders and offer mentoring. I will also be working as an ambassador for MSU's Pre-Health Advising Office, and will be conducting research within the Chemistry department.

My overall career goals lie in medicine, through which I wish to not only heal others, but to expand the awareness and knowledge of medicine across the country.

Dominic Chavez is a rising senior at Mississippi State University majoring in biochemistry with a pre-med concentration. His other areas of study include psychology, medical humanities, and the Shackouls Honors College’s Cursus Honorum. At MSU, Dominic is a Presidential Endowed Scholar, Pre-Health Ambassador, and co-president of Active Minds, a mental health advocacy organization geared towards changing the conversation around mental health.

Dominic’s current research interests lie in community advocacy and health education, particularly mental health. His goal as a T.H. Chan School of Public Health Scholar is to increase awareness regarding mental illness and promote dialogue surrounding mental health within the Mississippi public education system. In the future, Dominic plans on attending medical school, pursuing a career as a psychiatrist, and helping make mental healthcare more affordable and accessible within his community.

Trinity Wilson is a first-generation psychology major at Alcorn State University from Hattiesburg, MS. Before attending Alcorn she was a student at Hattiesburg High School and Pearl River Community College where earned her associate degree and her high school diploma at the same time. Her research project is entitled “The Land Don’t Know Color” Generational Trauma and the Effect on Black Landowners and Farmers.

While at Alcorn she is a member of the Psychology Society, a two-time New Student Orientation leader, Brave Ambassador, President List Scholar and the President of Impact Community Service Organization working her way up from secretary, vice president to president in just under a year. While doing all this she still remains to be an active member in her community and church as well.

Trinity is not yet sure if she will pursue a Master in Public Health or Psychology but she knows that God is the author behind her story and wherever he takes her, she will follow. She is grateful for the opportunity to be a Delta Scholar and a Harvard T.H. Chan Public Health Scholar.

Saige Kenner is a junior at Southern University and A&M College majoring in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Agricultural Business and a minor in Political Science. Her work centers on rural economic development and making federal programs more accessible to underserved communities. Her recent project, Strengthening Rural Communities for Better Health, applies the Community Capitals Framework and Asset-Based Community Development to help local leaders improve health outcomes and access public resources.
She is grateful for the opportunity to be a Delta Scholar and a Harvard T.H. Chan Public Health Scholar—experiences that have strengthened her commitment to public service and deepened her understanding of how to create more equitable systems. Saige plans to pursue graduate studies and continue bridging the gap between policy and the communities it’s meant to serve.

Hello, my name is Naiya Fort and I am a junior biology major at Alcorn State University. I am from Monroe, Louisiana which is relatively close to Mississippi. As I further my education, I plan on attending nursing school and graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. After this I plan on working in a clinical site until I go back to school to become a nurse anesthetist. As a Public Health Delta Scholar I plan on addressing food insecurity in the Mississippi Delta, especially with older aging adults. Through my work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), I’ve encountered the stark reality of how many elderly individuals in nursing homes face neglect and a lack of adequate care. Their health is often over looked, and their emotional wellbeing is left unaddressed, which motivated me to pursue a deeper understanding of how public health initiatives can improve the lives of elderly individuals and other underserved groups. I am so excited to see what comes from the initiatives in my project and the new opportunities that will be made from it!

Bianca Hemsath is a rising junior at the University of Mississippi majoring in chemical engineering. At UM, she is proud member of both the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and the Center for Manufacturing Excellence. She is vice president of the student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and a member of Ole Miss Ambassadors, Tau Beta Pi, and the Society of Women Engineers.
As a native of northern Kentucky, Bianca grew up on the Ohio River, which sparked her interest in water quality. This summer, she was thankful for the opportunity to work with Dr. Ong and dive deeper into the connection between drinking water quality and public health. In the future, she hopes to research innovative methods of water treatment, ensuring that everyone has access to clean water. Bianca is beyond grateful to be a 2025 Delta Scholar and a Havard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Scholar.