Lupe Arteaga is pursuing an MPH with a concentration in Health Promotion and Behavior because she has always been interested in finding ways to improve community health, especially among children with disabilities.
Name: Lupe Arteaga
Hometown: Gainesville, GA
Undergraduate degree and institution: B.S. Public Health, Georgia State University
Why did you choose the Georgia State School of Public Health?
I chose Georgia State because of the diversity. I chose the School of Public Health because of the passion the professors have within the field. I always knew I wanted to attend a school that was welcoming by all professors and students.
Which MPH concentration did you choose, and why?
I chose the Health Promotion and Behavior concentration because I have always been interested in finding ways to improve community health, especially among children with disabilities. Evaluation is essential among all programs, and I would love to assist organizations in reaching their goals.
What advice would you give undergraduate students considering pursing an MPH at Georgia State?
To follow their passion, and all will be possible. Make connections with professors, and there is no need to “know” precisely what you want to do; you will learn on the way.
Tell us about your campus involvement?
I am the president of the Georgia State University Maternal and Child Health Student Association. Through this organization, I help bring awareness to maternal and infant health topics through events hosted throughout the semester. I am currently a graduate research assistant (GRA) for the Center for Leadership in Disability. I have become a certified youth mental health first aid instructor through this opportunity. I am also the student representative for the MPH Academic Affairs Committee. I attend meetings with SPH faculty and staff to discuss potential needs and changes within the School of Public Health. Within the last year, I served on a committee for the School of Public Health Diversity Council, where I had the opportunity to discuss ways to increase student engagement and enrollment.
What’s your career aspiration?
I will be honest. There is no specific position when I think about my career aspiration. I just know that I want to continue helping families with children with disabilities, whether through research work or directly working with the families.