What is Public Health Week?

Public Health Week is an opportunity to bring students and faculty together to explore the real world impact of public health.

What is MSU Denver Public Health Day?

MSU Denver Public Health Day ( April 7, 2026) is designed to create a space for meaningful conversations, learning, and connection with professionals who are actively working in the field. Through panels and discussions, students are able to engage with current public health issues and gain insight into how the field works beyond the classroom.

The purpose of the event is to help students better understand the many directions a career in public health can take, while also highlighting the importance of community-centered solutions to today’s health challenges. By bringing together students, faculty, and professionals, we hope the day encourages thoughtful dialogue, strengthens connections within the public health community, and leaves students feeling more informed and motivated to contribute to building healthier communities.

Additionally, the event highlights the importance of bridging the gap between high school and higher education by supporting peer health education (PHE) initiatives that reach younger students. By equipping high school students with accurate health information and leadership opportunities, peer health education helps build confidence, critical thinking, and awareness of public health topics early on. This approach encourages a smoother transition into college-level learning while empowering youth to become informed advocates for health within their schools and communities.

MSU Denver Public Health Day

When: Tuesday, April 7, 2026 from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Where: Jordan Student Success Building ( JSSB) Room 420/ CAVEA or Virtual Livestream

How: RSVP TODAY! to join either in person or virtually

Event Details: Registrants will receive more detailed agenda closer to the event

• 8:30 a.m. – Check in and Breakfast begins
• 9am-10am- Public Health Expert Panel
  • “From Policy to People: Advancing Health Equity Through Community Power, Advocacy, and Systems Change.”
• 10:30- 11:30 a.m.- Interactive Health Peer Educator Session
• 11:30 – 12:30 – Free Lunch Provided
• 12:30-130- Keynote Speaker: Heather Kennedy, MPH, PhD
• 1:30-3:00 – Public Health Fair

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Keynote Speaker

Heather Kennedy is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Community & Behavioral Health at the Colorado School of Public Health. Dr. Kennedy is the Director of the Hub for Youth Engagement, which houses grant and contract-funded projects to amplify the voices of young people to create community change through participatory inquiry and organizing. The flagship offering of the Hub is UpRISE, Colorado’s youth tobacco control movement. In each offering, her team provides coaching for adults to build authentic partnerships with youth. Dr. Kennedy has led dozens of youth leadership groups and YPAR projects with middle, high school, and college-aged youth. 
Heather started in public health as a 16-year-old participant in a youth tobacco control movement and has since been a stalwart advocate for ensuring that youth can exercise the full power of their voices. 

Policy Panelists

Lyn Riebel is a proud MSU Denver alum, holding both a Public Health Bachelors and a Master of Health Administration degree from the university. Driven by a commitment to lifelong learning, she is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Health Administration and a Master of Global Health, further strengthening her ability to translate knowledge and professional experience into action. 

As a Public Health and Health Systems Consultant and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), she is focused on advancing health equity and improving population health outcomes across diverse communities. Lyn is also an active member of the Colorado Public Health Association, where she serves as Co-Chair of the Health Policy Committee. 

Kellie Tetter (she/her), is an affiliate faculty for the MSU Denver Public Health program. For Kellie, maternal and child health is both a population and a discipline; an approach to public health that centers families and drives for equity and justice first. Kellie has applied this approach to everything from disease intervention to community wealth building, in settings such as government, non-profit, and healthcare, at the local, state and national level.  

Steve Holloway is a public health professional, professor, and board member serving organizations with a public and community health focus. He is currently serving as the Director of the Health Access Branch at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, a position he has held since October 2011. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Professor at the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver, where he teaches courses on mental health and substance use policy, social determinants of health, and public policy. Steve has a Master of Public Health from Emory University, a Graduate Certificate in Maternal and Child Health from the University of Arizona, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Colorado. He has also completed several fellowships in health policy, informatics and leadership including the Advanced Leadership Training Program of the Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership.

In addition to his professional and academic roles, Holloway serves on several boards and commissions, including the Health Workforce Cabinet of Governor Polis, the Rural Provider Access and Affordability Stimulus Advisory Committee, the Colorado Primary Care Collaborative, the Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects Research at the health department, and he formally served by appointment of the US Secretary on Health and Human Services on a commission for the analysis of the health professional workforce. Steve is also the Chairman of the Board at the Sewall Child Development Center in Denver, a member of the Master of Health Administration Advisory Board at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, and an advisor to the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the State University of New York.

MSU Denver Public Health Educators

Rebecca Schubert 

     As a multilingual, nontraditional social work student at Metropolitan State University of Denver, I bring a unique intersectional perspective shaped by my diverse academic background in nursing and French literature. I will be graduating with my BSSW this May, entering the MSW program this summer as a 2026-2027 candidate, and am a member of Phi Alpha, MSU Denver’s chapter of Epsilon Lambda, the national social work honor society. My previous studies in comparative literature, focusing on Southeast Asian migration patterns post-genocide and the transnational refugee experience, have deepened my understanding of how identity, culture, and displacement shape health outcomes. 

                  As a Cambodian American woman and mother to toddlers, I am personally invested in advancing culturally responsive health services that recognize the complex ways race, ethnicity, neurodiversity, and family experiences intersect to impact wellbeing. My commitment extends into community action through my involvement with MSU Denver’s Peer Health Exchange program, where students facilitate health curricula in under-resourced high schools to address health disparities. I am passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration with health professionals to promote health advocacy, engage harm reduction, reduce systemic barriers to care, and advance health equity for intersectional identities including marginalized, refugee, immigrant, and underserved populations. 

Christopher Buysse 

Christopher Buysse is a MSU Denver Public Health student graduating with his Bachelor’s this May 2026.  Throughout his years of working in the community, Christopher has received Colorado state certifications as a Peer and Family Specialist and Prevention Specialist, as well as completing certificate programs to provide support as a Community Health Educator and Community Health Worker.  Navigating the world of substance use and mental health recovery in personal and professional settings, Christopher is dedicated to supporting those in vulnerable and at-risk populations.  Currently, he works as a Peer Health Educator, providing education on various health topics to youth in marginalized communities, and as a case manager for a local non-profit, sharing lived experiences to connect individuals to targeted recovery support. With a passion in harm reduction, gender affirming care, and growing through hardships, Christopher strives to live by example and demonstrate no matter where you have been or what you are going through, support and success are achievable. After graduation, Christopher hopes to move to the Pacific Northwest and pursue his Master’s in Public Health focusing on the social and behavioral aspects that influence health. 

I am a proud first-generation college graduate and MSU Denver alumna with a strong commitment to public health, health equity, and community advocacy. As the daughter of two undocumented parents, my academic and professional journey has been shaped by resilience, perseverance, and a deep understanding of the systemic barriers many families face when accessing health care and essential resources. My parents’ sacrifices continue to motivate my passion for service and social justice.

Celeste Reyes H. 

Celeste Reyes H.  currently works in a Colorado-based work-study role at the Department of Health Professions here at MSU Denver, and through them, I am able to serve as a Peer Health Educator where I continue to develop experience in prevention, education, and community-focused public health initiatives. My lived experiences have informed my interest in addressing social determinants of health and reducing health disparities, particularly among underserved and immigrant communities.

In the future, I plan to pursue a Masters of Public Health with a concentration in pediatric health and maternal health. My long-term goal is to improve health outcomes for children, mothers, and families through culturally responsive programs, preventive care, and community-driven public health solutions.

Abigail Mendez

I am a first-generation college student at Metropolitan State University of Denver double majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice with a concentration in clinical counseling. My journey has been shaped by moving between the United States and Mexico and navigating higher education independently, which has strengthened my commitment to supporting students and families from underrepresented backgrounds.

On campus, I serve as a student coordinator for the Campus Activities Board and as a program assistant for the Bilingual Family and Community Engagement Program, where I help create inclusive programming and connect students and families to resources. Through my work with Peer Health Exchange, I facilitate health education in under-resourced high schools, leading conversations on mental health, relationships, and substance use prevention. These experiences have strengthened my passion for making information accessible in ways that feel relatable, empowering, and supportive for youth.

In the future, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work and work with Hispanic and Latino youth impacted by the criminal justice system. My goal is to advocate for mental health access, reduce stigma, and support healing-centered approaches that empower young people to thrive.

Public Health Day Lead Organizers

Le’Ausha Cunningham

I am a 4th year MSU Denver student Majoring in Public Health with a minor in Healthcare Management, a Peer Health Educator, and the Primary Event Coordinator for Public Health Day. Professionally I come from a background as a Medical Assistant with experience in pediatrics, pediatric urgent care, women’s health, and a Consultant in healthcare operations. I am passionate about using both clinical knowledge and community education to improve future health outcomes in our youth.

My primary focus areas include sexual health education, personal hygiene, and youth health literacy. This comes from growing up in a culture where speaking about most of these topics was very taboo. Sex Ed in Middle school was more so a scare tactic and about abstinence, while familial discussions were more of “don’t have sex until you are married”. No talk about cycles and puberty and how to care for myself during until it was too late, so this passion comes from what I wish adults and others would have shared with me as a pre-teen/teen. I have a strong commitment to making all accessible, relatable, and actionable for students and the broader community. The more I’m able to educate students, the more correct information is spread to their parents, siblings, and friends.

For me public health means creating equitable access to education, resources, and care while empowering our youth to take charge of their own health journeys. I hope to see the future of public health continue to grow through stronger community partnerships and  prevention-based education.

Akelia Reddie

Akelia Reddie is a high-achieving Public Health major with a minor in Biology at MSU Denver, driven by a passion for environmental health and health equity. She currently serves as a Legislative Intern at the Colorado State Capitol, where she works on policy analysis and supports the legislative process. A dedicated student leader and advocate, Akelia is committed to addressing health disparities and creating sustainable, community-centered solutions.

Tracy Yacobellis

Tracy Yacobellis is the Marketing & Admissions Coordinator for the Masters of Health Administration program and the Department of Health Professions at MSU Denver . She is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelors in Health Education. She is licensed to teach Health, Biology and P.E. at the K-12 level. She has over fifteen years of experience in the education and advising realm in a number of different roles including the Health Science Supervisor for the Florida Department of Education, as a job coach for people with disabilities, the Health Science Advisor at South Arkansas Community College and most recently as the Student Services Coordinator for the MSU Denver at DIME Denver music program. She enjoys  performing in community musical theatre with the Wesley Players Theatre Group, singing in professional choirs and improv comedy.

Erin Seedorf 

Dr. Erin Seedorf is an associate faculty member and Chair of the Department of Health Professions at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She brings nearly 20 years of experience across local and state public health and academia. She teaches in the Health Care Management and Master of Health Administration programs and led the development of the university’s new Bachelor of Arts in Public Health. Dr. Seedorf has also supported student leadership and community engagement through roles with the Health Leaders Student Organization and the Denver Peer Health Education Program. Before joining MSU Denver full‑time, she served as a program manager at the University of Colorado Denver’s Center for Public Health Practice. She earned her Doctor of Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2017.Her professional mission is to develop future health professionals, strengthen community capacity, and help design communities that advance equity and overall wellness.

Public Health Program at MSU Denver

https://www.msudenver.edu/health-professions/hep-programs/public-health/ 

The links below will take you to the current catalog year to see the program course requirements. If you are a current MSU Denver Student, for the most accurate course list, please use your personal catalog year, which can be found on a student’s degree progress report or on Navigate360. If you are a prospective student, please use the most current catalog year for reference.

• Public Health Major, B.A.

Public Health Minors

• Public Health Minor
• Integrative Health Care Minor
• Lifestyle Medicine Minor
• Men’s Health Minor
• Pre-Healthcare Minor

Public Health Certificates

• Community Health Educator Certificate
• Community Health Worker Certificate