“I want to use my education to help humanize healthcare and advocate for communities that are often overlooked or underserved. As a first-generation Latino student, my journey has been guided by my family’s strength, my community’s resilience, and a deep desire to create change. I realized that Bloustein wasn’t just a school—it was a community full of students and faculty who cared deeply about making real, lasting change. My goal is to become a healthcare consultant, working with hospitals and health systems to improve operations, increase access, and ensure quality care for all—especially for underrepresented communities.”
Topic
Spotlights
Advocacy and Action Through Public Health
“There is so much you can do with Public Health. The major opens so many doors to different opportunities to find out what you are passionate about. I realized how overall health and wellbeing connects so many aspects of the world around us that we often overlook. I wanted to understand the environment through a health lens, and how its effects differ across communities. Learning how global and local access to healthcare is inconsistent across certain communities showed me the importance of advocacy and action through a public health lens.”
Hispanic Heritage Month: Maria Del Cid-Kosso, MPAP ’20
Bloustein School alumnus Maria Del Cid, MPAP ’20 is passionate about expanding the educational opportunities available to undocumented youth and amplifying marginalized voices in politics. In 2021 Maria was appointed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy as a Commissioner on the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
A Journey from Finance to Data-Driven Policymaking
Nurul Hoque hopes to leverage his combined expertise in finance, data analytics, and policy analysis to spearhead the development of data-driven policies and programs that promote social justice, equity, and sustainability.
Transforming Healthcare: From Caregiver to Leader
Emily Muha began her career in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She became interested in the administrative side of healthcare after her family’s experience watching her grandfather struggle with Alzheimer’s.
Merging the Energy Sector and Global Data Analytics
Yousaf’s experience in the program has been pivotal in preparing him for a career in energy policy and analytics. One of his standout courses was Global Data Analytics, where he gained a deeper understanding of how data can shape sustainable energy policies.
Bloustein public policy undergrad named to New Brunswick BOE
Ashley Caldwell, a public policy at the Bloustein School, has been tapped to fill a vacant seat on the New Brunswick Board of Education after serving as a student representative during her senior year of high school.
Building Healthier Communities From First Responder to Administrative Advocate
Sergio Tlatenco Torres chose the Rutgers MHA program not only because it was close to home, but also because it is close to key players in the healthcare industry.
Herts Named New Superintendent of Civil Rights Monument
The National Park Service (NPS) has announced the selection of Rolando Herts, Ph.D. Planning and Public Policy ’11, as superintendent of Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and Freedom Riders National Monument in Alabama, effective Sep. 9.
Stitched with Purpose: A Career Toward Healthcare Access for Communities
Whether in a public health role or a healthcare administration role, Cindy Lira is excited to explore the different niches in healthcare including hospital operations and problem-solving, to contribute to overall professional development and growth.