This summer, USF鈥檚 (COPH) proudly welcomes 302 graduates into its growing community of public health leaders, innovators and advocates prepared to make a difference in communities around the world.
Representing a diverse range of experiences, backgrounds and perspectives, this graduating class reflects the global impact of public health education at the COPH. Of the 302 graduates, 256 call 爱污传媒 home, while 46 come from outside the state and 28 represent international communities, bringing unique perspectives that will shape the future of public health.
Undergraduates at USF's summer commencement. (Photo by Elissa Santos)
The class includes 11 doctoral graduates earning their or , along with 52 master鈥檚 graduates receiving degrees in , , and . These graduates are prepared to lead across a variety of health-focused disciplines and address some of the most pressing challenges facing communities today.
The largest portion of the class, 239 , marks the next generation of public health professionals. Equipped with knowledge, passion and a commitment to service, they are ready to begin their journeys as advocates for healthier communities.
On August 8, the COPH celebrated its graduate-level students with a special ceremony and reception held at the college. The following morning, doctoral and graduate degree recipients commemorated their achievements by walking across the stage at the Yuengling Center, followed by undergraduate graduates during the afternoon ceremony.
Drs. Brett Reid, Jason Salemi and Maria Gomez Morales at USF's graduation. (Photo courtesy of Salemi)
During the COPH celebration, , recipient of the college鈥檚 and professor and chair of the , addressed graduates with a message about the often unseen impact of a career in public health. Drawing a comparison to athletes preparing for the World Cup, Salemi reflected on the years of work that lead to a defining moment and the work still ahead.
鈥淥ur greatest victories in public health are often invisible. But invisible has never meant unimportant. In fact, I鈥檇 argue they鈥檙e some of the most important victories of all,鈥 Salemi said.
He reminded graduates that their education has prepared them not because they have all the answers, but because they have learned how to find them.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e ready because you鈥檝e learned how to ask the right questions. How to think critically. How to follow evidence. How to listen. How to keep learning. And how to care deeply about people you鈥檝e never met,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hose are extraordinary skills.鈥
Salemi closed with a reminder that graduation marks not an ending, but the beginning of the graduates鈥 opportunity to put those skills into action, 鈥淭oday鈥檚 ceremony isn鈥檛 the finish line. It鈥檚 your walk out of the tunnel. The world is waiting.鈥
As the newest graduates turn their tassels and begin their next chapters, they become part of a worldwide network of over 15,338 dedicated to advancing health and well-being for all. The COPH community celebrates their accomplishments and looks forward to welcoming them as the newest members of its alumni family.
Here are some of the stories from the Class of 2026:
Gloria Arce, BSHS, with concentrations in health administration and biological health science (Photo courtesy of LinkedIn)
Growing up in an immigrant, low-income household, Gloria Arce learned English as a second language while balancing academics before advancing into international baccalaureate, advanced placement and dual enrollment courses. She entered USF as a first-generation college student with 42 college credits despite being the first in her family to navigate higher education.
鈥淚 started as an exercise science major, looking to go into occupational therapy (OT),鈥 she said. 鈥淲ithin my first semester, I gained an interest in the health science program, specifically for its flexibility and how it would prepare me for not just OT school, but also various career paths in health care.鈥
Throughout her time at the COPH, Arce worked as a assistant, mentor and writing tutor at the Academic Success Center.
"I especially enjoyed helping students who did not consider English their first language."
She also volunteered with the , connecting underserved Spanish-speaking patients with health resources, participated in the ICARE Lab's LGBTQ Mental Health Study and gained clinical experience through volunteer and shadowing opportunities at several hospitals.
鈥淚 feel the COPH offers various opportunities,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t inspires students to take advantage of provided resources to truly achieve dreams.鈥
Arce graduated with dual degrees in psychology and , with concentrations in health administration and biological health science and plans to pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy.
Anusha Parajuli, MPH, with a concentration in applied biostatistics and epidemiology (Photo courtesy of LinkedIn)
As an international student, Anusha Parajuli came to the COPH eager to make the most of her graduate experience. Throughout her time in the program, she demonstrated a commitment to growth by exploring new areas of public health, taking on additional coursework and contributing to multiple research projects.
Originally pursuing a concentration in , Parajuli expanded by adding as a second concentration, all while maintaining an impressive 3.97 GPA. Her willingness to challenge herself and seek out new experiences reflects her curiosity, dedication and passion for advancing public health through data and research.
Known for her professionalism, enthusiasm and positive attitude, Parajuli consistently approached each opportunity with a desire to learn and make an impact. As she moves forward after graduation, she will carry with her the skills, knowledge and experiences gained at the COPH as she continues contributing to the field of public health.
Shikha Srivastava Dhingra, MPH with a concentration in epidemiology and a graduate certificate in applied biostatistics (Photo courtesy of Dhingra)
Returning to school after a more than 15 year break, Shikha Srivastava Dhingra proved that it's never too late to pursue a lifelong dream.
After earning degrees in homeopathic medicine and clinical research in New Delhi, India, Dhingra enrolled at the COPH.
"I chose the COPH because its offered a strong academic program and the flexibility to continue my education while balancing work, pregnancy and raising a family," Dhingra said.
She welcomed her son during her first semester, returned to full-time work as a global trial manager and completed her degree while raising two young children. During her final semester, she also persevered through the loss of her father.
"This journey showed me that growth does not require perfect circumstances, only purpose, discipline and perseverance," Dhingra said.
Dhingra plans to continue advancing in global clinical research and drug development, with the goal of moving into an executive leadership role and helping improve patient outcomes through evidence-based research.
Suzanne Sica, PA-C, MHSc, MPH, with a concentration in global disaster management, humanitarian assistance and homeland security (Photo courtesy of Sica)
For Suzanne Sica, public health and military service have always gone hand in hand. After 17 years of combined active and reserve service in the U.S. Army, the physician assistant is now adding a master of public health in from the COPH to her credentials.
Sica discovered her passion for public health while providing medical care during overseas missions.
鈥淔ollowing an overseas deployment during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, I transitioned into a federal contracting role at a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quarantine station,鈥 Sica said. 鈥淩ecognizing my unique operational background, a fellow CDC officer recommended USF鈥檚 COPH. This university stood out because it offered this specialized GHH concentration, participated in the Yellow Ribbon program and provided flexible distance-learning format. This flexibility was crucial for accommodating my full-time federal employment, military drilling commitments and outside ventures.鈥
Despite her demanding schedule, Sica maintained a 4.0 GPA while completing an internship in health disaster preparedness and developing a capstone project focused on strengthening civilian and military partnerships during large-scale combat operations.
My time in the program was transformative,鈥 Sica said. 鈥淭he flexible curriculum allowed me to tailor my concentration directly to my interests in health disaster preparedness and mitigating bioterrorist medical threats, while expanding my knowledge of working in humanitarian crises and critical infrastructure protection. Furthermore, collaborating with an incredible network of diverse public health students and professionals from all over the world provided invaluable global perspective that I will carry forward in my career.鈥
After graduation, Sica plans to continue serving in humanitarian medicine and military leadership while expanding her work in public health consulting to strengthen national health security and disaster preparedness.
Katura Horton-Perinchief, DrPH (Photo courtesy of LinkedIn)
Before building a career in public health, Dr. Katura Horton-Perinchief represented Bermuda as a diver at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where she made history as the first black woman from any nation to compete in Olympic diving. She said this experience shaped the resilience and leadership that carried her through her doctoral studies when she decided to return to the classroom, after nearly two decades in public health, to earn her doctor of public health (DrPH) from the COPH.
鈥淚 was looking for a doctoral program that would allow me to build on my professional experience rather than step away from it,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he COPH鈥檚 DrPH program appealed to me because of its emphasis on leadership, and translating evidence into meaningful change.
While working full time, raising a family and serving as manager of the Bermuda National Tumour Registry, Horton-Perinchief completed the program from her home country.. During her studies, she also served as chef de mission for Team [CK1] Bermuda at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, drawing on the resilience she developed as an Olympian.
鈥淎s a working professional living in Bermuda, I needed a program that would allow me to continue contributing to my community while pursuing the degree,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he COPH gave me the opportunity to take what I was learning and apply it directly to complex, real-world public health challenges at home.鈥
Her doctoral project focused on mental health care within Bermuda's correctional system, creating practical recommendations to support meaningful reform.
"That is exactly what I hoped to accomplish through a DrPH: not simply to conduct research, but to produce work with the potential to make a tangible difference," she said. 鈥淭he DrPH program challenged me to think differently about what it means to lead in public health. I entered the COPH with many years of professional experience, but the program gave me new frameworks and tools for understanding complex systems, engaging stakeholders, using evidence strategically and translating research into action.鈥
After graduation, Horton-Perinchief plans to continue strengthening public health
in Bermuda by using data, leadership and collaboration to translate evidence into
policies and programs that improve the health of her community.
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Natalia Vega, DrPH (Photo courtesy of Vega)
Originally from Panama, Dr. Natalie Vega began her public health journey at the COPH, earning her in research, policy and planning in international public health in 2013 before returning years later to pursue her doctor of public health.
After taking time away from academics to focus on her family, Vega returned to Panama in 2017 as a single mother and began rebuilding her personal and professional life. While working in clinical trials, she continued expanding her research experience with the support of her mentor, , who encouraged her involvement in new projects.
鈥淒r. Calvo was key during that time, not only by being supportive but also by including me in new research projects,鈥 Vega said.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vega began the DrPH program with the goal of finally achieving a long-held dream. Along the way, she faced significant challenges, including a diabetes diagnosis and lingering effects after contracting COVID-19. Through lifestyle changes, persistence and support from those around her, she continued moving forward.
鈥淐ompleting this program was only a dream 10 years ago,鈥 Vega said. 鈥淚 am proud of myself for being able to complete something that once felt so far away, and that I was able to find that balance to turn a very difficult period into something positive," she said. "I also learned to be more compassionate toward myself."
Throughout the journey, Vega鈥檚 children watched her persevere. The phrase, 鈥渕om is working on her thesis鈥 became part of their routine and she hopes her experience teaches them the value of persistence.
鈥淚 hope sharing this experience with my children will serve as the best example for them to always pursue their dreams and, even in times of adversity, choose to persist,鈥 she said.
Nikolas 鈥淣ik鈥 Rahmani, BSHS (Photo courtesy of COPH Undergraduate Newsletter)
After just one month as a transport dispatcher, graduate Nik Rahmani quickly rose to become the youngest patient transport supervisor at Lakeland Regional Hospital..
In his supervisory role, he led a team of around 20 transporters, handling responsibilities from training to ensuring effective communication across departments within a hospital setting.
This early leadership experience in a clinical setting has helped Rahmani shape a clear vision for a future career improving health outcomes behind the scenes in health care facilities.
Story courtesy of the