Meet Full Scholarship Recipient Gabby Mayers

ALBANY, NY (Oct. 27, 2023) -- Gabby Mayers is a second-year Master of Public Health student at the UAlbany School of Public Health. They were awarded the Strengthening the Public Health Workforce Scholarship, a full scholarship that covers tuition for a Master of Public Health degree and a certificate in either health disparities or maternal and child health. We sat down with Gabby to learn more about them and their interest in public health.

Where is home for you?

“In a study that surveyed seniors living in rural and urban communities, respondents have said that their definition of home means familiarity, connecting to their childhood, their community, and their place of worship. Researchers concluded that while there was no established definition of home, it is where people feel safe, secure, and comfortable. And to that, I am inclined to agree. My idea of where home is for me isn’t physical, but emotional and spiritual.

Though I have yet to find somewhere, or something to call my definitive home, the safest I’ve felt and most support I’ve received in my journey to self-acceptance and navigating my newfound career is when I moved to Albany. I have been supported tremendously by the faculty at the UAlbany School of Public Health. I have been in school my whole life, and yet this is the first time that I am not seen as just a student, but an individual, and I am respected for it. I am respected for my thoughts, interests, and identity and not once has my integrity ever been questioned nor have I been perceived as anything less. I owe a great deal of gratitude to the faculty of this school and will always appreciate how welcoming and encouraging they have been.”

What area(s) of public health are you most interested in?

“Health policy and health promotion intersect with my interests in addressing health disparities among marginalized groups. Presently, there are large disparities among the transgender population due to the recent policies that have been enforced in certain states, along with other barriers that prevent them from receiving life changing health care.

Moreover, the rates of violence against Black trans women are rising. What I’ve noticed is, especially in public health, the lack of urgency. Whether it is a matter of there not being enough data surrounding the issue, or maybe it boils down to it not being a priority, and simply not caring, but I do. I am building my career around developing policies that promote health wellness among the BIPOC population who have intersecting identities that prevent them from receiving accessible health care. I am also interested in developing prevention and intervention programs that promote health wellness. This includes, but isn’t limited to, increasing physical activity, HIV/AIDS prevention and education, and increasing health literacy within disadvantaged populations.”

Why did you choose to attend UAlbany SPH?

“I was thoroughly impressed by the curriculum that extended outside of the classroom. The value that UAlbany SPH holds on gaining real experience is something that should be encouraged across all graduate schools! For example, had I not chose UAlbany, who knows if I would consider a career in public health consulting after the work I’ve done at NYSTEC.”

Can you tell us more about your NYSTEC work?

“Over the summer, I interned at New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC) where I served as a strategic planning intern. I was heavily involved in the communication deliverables where I developed an inclusive content guide for internal use for NYSTEC, in addition for the Office of Public Health to implement into their communication and collaboration strategy. The key takeaway from my involvement in the strategic plan was the importance of incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion in the goals and objectives of organizations by providing a guide that demonstrates how to promote inclusivity to foster an inclusive environment in the workforce and New York state population.”

What did it mean for you to receive the Strengthening the Public Health Workforce Scholarship?

“Besides having the opportunity to continue my education without worrying about finances, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. I was encouraged to apply by Assistant Dean Caitlin Reid, who has been a terrific support system for me since day one. In my first semester of graduate school, I suffered from the dreaded imposter syndrome. I felt that students offered a great wealth of knowledge from their previous backgrounds and education, whereas for me, I wasn’t sure where I fit in my cohort. If I wasn’t sure of myself, and where my place was in graduate school, what were the chances of me receiving any sort of scholarship? And yet, here I am. Receiving this scholarship has humbled me in a multitude of ways as well. Now that I have access to speak to public health professionals through the seminar series, and pursue a health disparities certificate without the financial burden, it means so much to me that I am able to garner such rich knowledge externally and internally. However, the scholarship program has presented me with the opportunity to share the wealth of knowledge that I have gained over the past year.”

What’s something that people might not know about you?

“Fun fact, I am an illustrator and animator. I am looking to use my skills to continue to increase health literacy through interactive and illustrated books.”