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Megan Ahluwalia is a student in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Northeastern University in Charlotte and is part of the first cohort for the Charlotte campus. She decided to pursue her MPH after working as a COVID-19 contact tracer for the state of North Carolina, and later as a bilingual health educator and service coordinator for Mecklenburg County Public Health. With two undergraduate degrees – a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in public health and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a concentration in Hispanic studies – under her belt she enrolled in the MPH program to fulfill her passion for public health and deepen her expertise of the field. Here she shares with us what she’s learned, the importance of health equity, what she hopes to achieve when she graduates, and what she hopes for the future of public health.

Northeastern University Master of Public Health (MPH) Program

Northeastern University: What drew you to the Northeastern University in Charlotte MPH program?

Megan Ahluwalia: Its unique hybrid option. The asynchronous learning model fit my preferred learning style, offering the flexibility I need. I also enjoy the opportunity to connect with students from Boston and across the nation, while still being able to engage with peers in Charlotte during residency.

NU: What made you want to focus on Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) for your concentration?

MA: The SDOH concentration was a key reason I chose Northeastern University’s MPH program. I believe that understanding the social determinants of health is essential for anyone working in public health, human services, or medicine. It’s crucial to know how public health can lead multi-sectoral interventions to address these complex issues.

NU: What classes in the MPH program supported your concentration?

MA: Principles & History of Urban Health; Society, Behavior, and Health; Health Education & Program Planning; Race, Ethnicity, & Health; and Environmental Health.

NU: Were you able to get to know the members of your cohort?

MA: Yes, I enjoyed connecting with other Charlotte MPH students during our residency and staying in touch with them.

NU: What did you enjoy most about course residency week, and why?

MA: Meeting and learning from various organizations in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. As a Charlotte native, it was inspiring to see the impactful work being done in my community. I also really enjoyed the opportunity to connect with my cohort in person, which made the experience even more meaningful.

NU: What was your takeaway from the field visits to public health agencies?

MA: A deep sense of pride in being part of the public health field. It was inspiring to see how different organizations collaborate to promote health equity and improve the quality of life for residents. The experience reinforced the importance of building partnerships, embracing a collective impact model, and letting the public guide our efforts.

NU: What was the topic of your Hack-a-Thon for course residency week (The Hack-a-Thon is a student-lead project that allows the student to choose a community issue they observed during residency week and come up with a potential plan to address it)?

MA: “Increasing Culturally Competent Mental Health Services and Support within the Hispanic Community”.

NU: And how did you propose this problem be solved?

MA: I proposed creating a Center of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Centro de Salud Mental y Bienestar, to offer a range of culturally competent services, including counseling, community outreach, support groups, and mental health first aid training. This center would address mental health disparities in the Hispanic community, tackle language barriers, and challenge the cultural stigma around seeking mental health support.

NU: Did you continue to work at Mecklenburg County Public Health while in the program?

MA: I chose to step away from working during my first year of the MPH program, but I’ve recently accepted a full-time position as a Project Coordinator with Population Health Improvement Partners, where I completed my practicum.

NU: What work did you do with the Student Advisory Council at Northeastern?

MA: The Student Advisory Council serves as a liaison between the student body, faculty, and program leadership. We organized Town Halls for student feedback and hosted engagement activities, such as trivia and hot cocoa socials. Additionally, we played a significant role in supporting National Public Health Week by hosting daily events that celebrated public health and connected students around shared interests. I’ve been involved in planning more virtual opportunities for our distance learners and connecting students across all the MPH pathways offered by Northeastern.

NU: What content did you focus on during your “social media takeover” during course residency week?

MA: I highlighted the unique aspects of the Charlotte MPH program by showcasing the day’s activities and field visits, the campus, and South End Charlotte. I also engaged with followers through the “Ask Me Anything” feature on Instagram, answering questions about the program and sharing insights from our residency week.

NU: Was financial aid a factor for you when choosing Northeastern University in Charlotte?

MA: Yes, financial aid was a significant factor in my decision. The cost of the program was very competitive when making my final decisions on where to complete my Master’s, and the financial aid and scholarships I was offered by Northeastern University secured my enrollment.

Mecklenburg County Public Health

NU: Was there an event that made you feel having a Master of Public Health (MPH) could help you in your job at Mecklenburg County Public Health?

MA: Working in the intense response to COVID-19 and experiencing the subsequent decline in intensity of crisis mode made me realize that to continue working in public health, I needed to expand my knowledge and practice beyond COVID-19 efforts.

NU: What was it like being a COVID-19 contact tracer?

MA: It was an invaluable experience that deepened my understanding of public health, particularly in crisis situations. I gained firsthand insight into how social determinants of health influence individuals’ ability to respond to and comprehend the health information I provided.

NU: What was your biggest takeaway from that experience?

MA: Realizing the importance of community involvement in public health practices. Effective public health efforts must be guided by evidence and informed by the voices and knowledge of the communities we serve.

NU: What was your role as a bilingual health educator + service coordinator for Mecklenburg County Public Health?

MA: I coordinated and led equity-driven COVID-19 health education programs and vaccine clinics. I collaborated with community organizations to deliver these vital services to priority populations, including immigrants, refugees, seniors, and racial and ethnic minorities. Additionally, I managed data collection and reporting tools to document and showcase our work.

NU: Who did you work with, for example, local clinics or schools?

MA: I worked closely with local health systems and clinics to bring nurses to community events across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area for COVID-19 vaccinations. These events were often held at schools, places of worship, and other local venues to reach people where they live, work, and worship. I also partnered with nursing homes, hospice facilities, and senior living communities to deliver vaccines directly to those facing transportation challenges, ensuring they had access to essential care like flu shots and shingles vaccines when needed.

NU: What did you learn about SDOH in this role?

MA: I learned how profoundly social determinants of health impact vulnerable populations. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted longstanding health disparities often misattributed to individual failures rather than systemic issues. Addressing these disparities requires collaboration beyond public health, involving other systems to effectively tackle the social determinants of health.

Public Health in Charlotte

NU: What did you find were the most pressing issues in Charlotte?

MA: While different populations face unique challenges, I found that safe, stable housing and economic mobility are among the most pressing issues in Charlotte. Although economic mobility has seen some improvement, Charlotte has historically struggled with this issue. I’ve witnessed the complex web of poverty and believe more needs to be done to break these cycles.

NU: How did you see these things affecting people’s quality of life?

MA: Living in a constant state of survival mode creates chronic stress, which increases the risk of serious health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Additionally, limited access to quality healthcare exacerbates these issues, trapping people in a cycle of poor health and reduced quality of life.

NU: Did you see a repeat of certain health issues?

MA: I frequently encountered cases of hypertension and diabetes or prediabetes, which are significant risk factors of poor health outcomes, but especially severe COVID-19. Childhood asthma was another recurring issue I saw, often linked to low socioeconomic status and/or substandard housing and school conditions.

NU: What ways were you able to improve SDOH in the Charlotte community?

MA: When providing health education, I always made sure I was up to date on community resources so that I could connect residents to this vital information. I always carried and distributed information about food banks, farmers markets, utilities assistance, and government programs such as WIC. Even when issues fell outside my immediate responsibilities, I listened to residents’ concerns and ensured they were connected to relevant resources.

The Future

NU: What do you hope to achieve with your MPH?

MA: I hope to become well-versed in various aspects of public health, enabling me to act as a connector who bridges gaps across different specialties. My goal is to contribute significantly to population health and public health workforce sustainability, applying the lessons learned from COVID-19 to build a more resilient and effective public health system.

NU: Do you plan to look for a role in the Charlotte area?

MA: I love Charlotte and I’m certainly open to looking for a role here and in North Carolina, in general. I’ve recently accepted a full-time position with Population Health Improvement Partners as a Project Coordinator, so I’ll be staying in Charlotte for the foreseeable future!

NU: What changes would you implement to public health tomorrow if you had unlimited resources?

MA: I have so many answers to this question! However, I believe what would make a huge difference is the implementation of better physical education and nutrition classes from an earlier age in our U.S. elementary schools, while ensuring every family has access to affordable, healthy foods. I believe that instilling these healthy habits early on will not only prevent chronic diseases, but also empower people from a young age to take control of their own health. 

NU: What would you say to someone considering the Northeastern University in Charlotte MPH program?

MA: I would say it offers a truly unique opportunity to earn a Master of Public Health degree on your own terms through flexible asynchronous learning, while still providing the chance to connect with peers in person. The program has significantly deepened my knowledge and passion for public health, thanks to the invaluable insights from professors in Charlotte and Boston and the diverse perspectives of fellow students. This combination has enriched my understanding of how diversity in backgrounds and thought fuels meaningful change in public health.

Northeastern University’s MPH program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health and is a member of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. The Charlotte regional area offers a range of health science opportunities in a high-growth metropolitan area which saw year-over-year employment increases of 4.6% as of December 2022. If you’re interested in enrolling, or learning more about the program click here.

Shelley Stockton is a freelance writer and editor living in Charlotte, NC. Contact her at [email protected] or through her website at shelleystockton.com.