Featured Alumni

“In the spring of 1993, I remember seeing a poster advertising the University of Michigan Summer Enrichment Program.  The poster showcased an African American boy sitting with his hand resting on his chin and stated that African Americans have the highest incidence of preventable diseases but the least number of health care administrators. Not knowing what a health care administrator did, but knowing that I wanted to make a difference, I was compelled to apply to the program.  
 
The SEP served as my introduction to health services administration and inspired me to pursue a career in health administration. My summer internship served as the foundation for understanding our healthcare system, its impact on the community and the importance of effective leadership to improve access to health services.  My SEP experience was invaluable.  The professional connections and knowledge I gained continue to shape my professional career today.”

“In college, SEP was a turning point for my future endeavors.  Throughout my academic studies, I never strayed too far from my desire to help change our healthcare system to better serve those of diverse backgrounds.  But it was not until SEP that I was able to see the “how” and “what” as far as a path towards that end.  The first-hand experience in a healthcare setting, and access to people that were affecting the change I wanted to emulate, gave me a clearer picture of how I wanted to shape my career and what I wanted to ultimately do.  It not only led me to the University of Michigan School of Public Health for the MHSA degree, but many of the preceptors turned into mentors, and many of the SEP alumni are my most trusted colleagues and collaborators.”

“SEP was a wonderful program which had a big influence on my career choice.  The program offered excellent opportunities for mentorship and exposed me to the world of public health.  I made great friends, learned important skills like networking and a systems-approach to care, and was exposed to a new area of health care by working with administration at the Oakwood Healthcare System.  With a public health degree and a clinical background in nursing, I have been able to work for the World Health Organization, a public health department and now I teach undergraduate nursing students.  I carry the lessons learned in the SEP on with me as I encourage my students to pursue graduate work and to consider public health as an exciting career option.  Most of all, SEP helped me realize the importance of mentoring relationships in student success.” 

"SEP really broadened my knowledge of the field and allowed me to explore the different ways in which I could build a career improving people's health and their lives. SEP was truly one of the most important experiences of my life, not only did I meet amazing people and make great friends, I also found direction for my future. All the people I met both at the University of Michigan and on our site visits and social events were instrumental as I made decisions about the next steps to take. After having gone through the application process for graduate school, I can say without a doubt that having attended SEP provided me with invaluable information that made the process a success."

"The SEP was my first introduction to the field of public health. I was privileged to have had the opportunity of learning about public health and the many capacities in which public health graduates contribute to protecting the health of and advocating for world communities through their work. My SEP experience was pivotal in my choice to attend the U of M School of Public Health and pursue a career outside of medicine where I could make a difference in the quality of others lives."

"My experience in the SEP Program was a great introduction to the field and how the business really works. 20 years later, I realize what a tremendous leg up it was. The SEP Program was the foundation for my initial entry and direction in the field of health care management. The perspectives, connections, and knowledge from that summer fueled my opportunity and choices for the next 15 years."

"The Summer Enrichment Program allowed me to develop my personal convictions of a need for social justice in American health in a collaborative environment where my SEP peers learned alongside me, challenged me, and inspired me. While interning at the state headquarters for Hospice of Michigan, I observed skilled, responsible leadership effectively applied within our existing healthcare system. After SEP, I felt much better prepared for the graduate application process, conversations about U.S. health care, and my professional career."