Kennicia Fortson, the recipient of the school’s 2024 Ph.D. in Public Health Achievement Award, has presented her research findings on health inequities among underserved and marginalized populations at national conferences.
Name: Kennicia Fortson
Hometown: East Point, Georgia
Undergraduate and master’s degrees and institutions: I earned Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and psychology from the University of Georgia. I received a Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health from the University of Georgia.
Expected date of graduation: July 2024
Ph.D. concentration: Health Promotion and Behavior
Dissertation advisor: Dr. Amanda Gilmore
Why did you choose the Georgia State School of Public Health?
I chose the Georgia State School of Public Health because of its openness to student innovation and ideas, research opportunities in behavioral health and violence prevention, and exposure to faculty who are prominent in their respective fields.
Tell us about your research:
My program of research focuses on the etiology and prevention/intervention of health inequities among racially and ethnically minoritized populations, particularly in the areas of substance misuse and related harms, mental health and traumatic life experiences. My dissertation examines the effects of individual and environmental factors on alcohol use and mental health among Black college students. I am hoping to understand the health, well-being and needs of Black college students as well as the influence of institution type and related characteristics. The goal of this work is to inform efforts that improve campus environments and resources addressing mental health and substance use.
What’s been your most memorable experience so far in the Ph.D. program?
My most memorable experience so far in the Ph.D. program is attending the Society for Prevention Research (SPR) 30th Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington. I had attended and presented virtually at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting the year prior to SPR, but this was my first time attending and presenting at a conference in person. During my presentation, I was met with genuine enthusiasm and interest in my research. I discovered just how much I loved sharing my research and getting input from others on different factors and perspectives to consider. The poster sessions, paper presentations and symposia over those four days covered topics that aligned so strongly with my interests that it was hard to pick what to attend because I wanted to go to all of them! There were researchers, community leaders and professionals from different disciplines with common goals, and I felt deeply inspired as I learned about the amazing work that they were doing. I also had the pleasure of exploring the city of Seattle while I was there, visiting Pike Place Market and the waterfront as well as enjoying delicious food with my GSU family and newly made friends. After this experience, I decided that SPR would be my “home conference” and a professional organization that I would continue to invest in. I am now in a leadership position within SPR and will be attending the conference for the third consecutive year.
What’s your career aspiration?
My main career aspiration is to become the director of a research center that prioritizes collaborative efforts with community residents and leaders to address health inequities among underserved and marginalized populations. In public health and prevention science, we often discuss bridging the gap between research and practice. I want to be part of efforts where communities help lead research initiatives and directly benefit from the findings. Ultimately, I aspire to be in a position where I can contribute to the advancement and innovation of health equity work in the areas of substance use, mental health and violence prevention.