Meet our students
We reached out to our students to hear about their time in the program and what they plan to do post graduation.
Pia Sampaga-Khim
Graduating spring 2025
What made you decide to pursue a Master of Science in Community Health and Social Justice at UW Bothell?
I’ve spent many years in public health and always intended to eventually pursue my MPH. Over the past few years, I’ve focused on my equity journey, exploring ways to enhance community collaboration and develop programs that integrate equity and social justice principles. While browsing LinkedIn, I came across the program’s objectives, and I felt that they were perfectly aligned with what I was looking for. I was looking for a degree program that integrated public health education with social justice issues, discusses impacts on historically marginalized communities, and aims to dismantle systemic inequities – and I felt that this program offered that.
How are you planning on using your degree?
Pursuing my master’s degree has long been a personal goal of mine, but my decision to return to school was primarily motivated by a desire to do my job better. As a current employee of the Snohomish County Health Department, I am eager to apply the knowledge and insights I’ve gained from this program to my work. This experience will not only enhance my contributions to the department but I’m hopeful that it will also expand professional growth opportunities within the public health field. By deepening my understanding of social justice principles, I hope to better serve our community and make a meaningful impact on my role.
What is your favorite part about this program?
We have a small but powerful cohort, rich with diverse experiences and perspectives. It’s been wonderful to learn from each other and find support within the group. This program has also helped me strengthen my voice in my work, advocating for our communities and ensuring they have a say in how we serve them in Public Health. I’ve learned the importance of being intentional in our approach and how essential it is to embed social justice into our values.
What’s some advice you’d give to incoming students?
Participate in meaningful discussions with your peers and instructors, support each other, and challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone. Learning to embrace discomfort can deepen your understanding of diverse perspectives, enabling you to serve your community more effectively.
Rachel Allison
Graduating spring 2025
What made you decide to pursue a Master of Science in Community Health and Social Justice at UW Bothell?
I decided to pursue a Master of Science in Community Health and Social Justice because I spent the last several years learning and creating online content about the systemic problems in our country and across the world. I wanted to do my part in fixing these issues and restoring a sense of equity and justice. I became aware of this program, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to move my activism offline and into a place of enacting more direct change. I decided to take a leap of faith and completely change my career path, with the first step being my entry into this program.
How are you planning on using your degree post-graduation?
I am very excited to take the CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) exam and go on to work for the state of Washington. I would love to work in a role where I can implement equity, anti-racism, and inclusion as praxis, while providing access to opportunities, power, and resources to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes in Washington state. I would also love to use my creativity and expertise to create different forms of content to spread awareness of how white supremacy, colonialism, patriarchy, and capitalism are having detrimental effects on the overall health of different communities across the globe.
What is your favorite part about this program?
My favorite part about this program so far has been finding a community of likeminded individuals who care as deeply about the issues we are facing in Public Health as I do. It gives me hope to see my fellow classmates speaking on these systemic issues and coming up with new, creative, and equitable solutions to reduce health disparities nationwide. Another part of this program that I really love is how it challenges me both as a writer and an activist. My skills as a writer have been exponentially broadened by the classes in this program. My portfolio now includes pieces I never could have imagined it would be and my confidence as an activist has only deepened with the knowledge I’ve gained in this program.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Take the leap of faith and do not listen to your imposter syndrome. You are meant to be here, and your voice is a necessary contribution to the conversations happening about health disparities and injustices faced by different communities here and across the globe.
Updated January 2025 cs