Delmy Alexandra Cruz IV

Public Health, Class of 2024

• Hometown: Phillipsburg, NJ
• Activities/Organizations: Student Team Member for Colgate-Palmolive Sustainability Team for the Masters of Business and Science Externship Program
• Personal Interests: Snowboarding; playing the piano, flute and piccolo; listening to music; teaching Sunday school

Delmy Cruz has lived in New Jersey for most of her life and has always known Rutgers to be a diverse and vibrant public university. After earning an associate’s degree in Science and Mathematics from community college, she knew she would apply to Rutgers to finish her bachelor’s degree.

“Visiting the countries where my parents are from made me thankful of how hard they worked to build lives for their family here in America,” Delmy said. “It also helped me understand that issues like poverty and poor healthcare access are very prevalent in high-risk communities.”

“As a young Hispanic woman, I knew I wanted to attend a university filled with different cultures and backgrounds.”

She learned about public health while in community college and knew this was how she could accomplish her goals. “I wanted to find a way to serve communities through public service and social justice, to restore hope in areas that need it. There are countless cities that are in need of change to protect future generations. The public health coursework at the Bloustein School has given me new perspectives on many public health issues, and my classmates and professors have encouraged me to be open with my feelings and opinions.”

At the Bloustein School, Delmy said she has found a sense of belonging through classes, professors, and the many student organizations she has joined.

“What interests me about public service and social justice is the work being done to make the world a better place. With its diverse student population and collaborative opportunities with outside organizations, I knew Rutgers and the Bloustein School was the right environment for me to grow academically and achieve my goals.”

Looking ahead, Delmy hopes to work for a year or two in a governmental or nonprofit organization, taking some time to study for the dental admissions test and eventually enroll in dental school. “During my time at the Bloustein School, I have learned so much about health disparities that exist in diverse communities. One of those disparities is oral health care,” she said. “I want to use my knowledge and skills to educate people in those communities about the importance of oral health care, and also remove the stigmatization of dentists. I am looking forward to my time at Rutgers to help prepare me for my future goals and endeavors.”

Advice to prospective students:  Take advantage of every course by participating in class discussions during lectures. That was how I gained the most knowledge about public health, and learning through my classmates made me love the major even more. Do not be afraid to voice your opinion and thoughts—that was how I met new people and had new experiences!

Hear more about Delmy and her path to public health and the Bloustein School in our new video!