Growing up in Augusta, Georgia, Alysia D. Williams was the youngest of seven in a blended family and the only one to go to graduate school. This shaped her and she wanted to give back. “I want to help cultivate life’s vitality in Georgia, especially in Augusta, my hometown,” she says.
An MPH from Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH) at Georgia Southern University would help her do just that. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from JPHCOPH, Williams began working at a hospital, where she saw firsthand the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and patients in underserved communities.
Witnessing these struggles further strengthened her determination to pursue the MPH. Today, that drive has transformed into tangible impact at the intersection of public health and community service. Williams is currently working as the healthcare coordinator at Magnolia Coastlands AHEC, a non-profit supporting the recruitment, education, training, and retention of a diverse health professions workforce throughout its 39 county service area in southeast Georgia.
“During my master’s programme, I realised it was the best career choice because the structure and values of the programme resonated with me,” she says. “Courses such as research methods, cultural competency, and community health analysis have prepared me not only to earn a degree but also to build a strong portfolio that demonstrates my practical experience to potential employers.”
Williams is dreaming bigger too. “After careful consideration, I am thinking about enrolling in the online DNP programme here at Georgia Southern to become a triple eagle,” she says. “This decision came from my desire to be part of the solution that changes the course of rural health for future generations.”
The Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health houses 42 faculty members and serves nearly 500 students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programmes. Source: Georgia Southern University
The JPHCOPH supports students like Williams through its fully accredited programmes by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), an independent agency recognised by the US Department of Education. This accreditation ensures students receive a rigorous education grounded in the field’s best practices.
At JPHCOPH, the mission is to improve health and eliminate disparities in rural communities and among underserved populations globally. A variety of programmes, offered in fully online, hybrid, or face-to-face formats depending on the area of study, bring this vision to life, including the Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), and Graduate Certificate in Public Health.
“Through our teaching, we equip students with tools that enable them to understand the foundation of public health, the importance of centring the needs of the community, and how to think critically to address the social determinants of health,’ says Dr. Nandi A. Marshall, the college’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
“Through our scholarship, our faculty and students are working on public health issues to create new knowledge and resources that make our communities healthier and address challenges that may exacerbate disparities. Through service, faculty engage in (and hold leadership positions) with local, state, national, and international organisations that have a significant impact on public health outcomes.”
An education here always strives to make a difference. That can be hard, as public health challenges are constantly evolving, from pandemics to climate change.
But JPHCOPH keeps pace, thanks to two key strengths of its MPH programme: flexibility and responsiveness. “We build a strong foundation in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, community health, and environmental health, while also embedding emerging content and applied learning opportunities,” says Dr. Marshall.
Georgia Southern University began addressing health inequities in rural and underserved communities in 1998 through its Department of Health and Kinesiology. Source: Georgia Southern University
Learning by doing is central to the programme. There are several practicums, service learning, and partnerships with health departments and community organisations to bridge theory and practice. This approach ensures graduates are not only knowledgeable but also adaptable, capable of leading in uncertain environments, and prepared to implement evidence-based strategies that prioritise community needs.
Williams is currently enrolled in a community health analysis course that allows her to work with the nonprofit in Augusta to conduct an analysis for grant applications. “I am working with Dr. Tilicia L. Mayo-Gamble as her graduate assistant, collaborating with community members and stakeholders to conduct programme evaluations,” she says. “I also worked with Dr. Katie Mercer in spring 2025, leading my first strategic planning session with a local organisation in Statesboro.”
Such collaboration is central to public health work. By emphasising the importance of community engagement, JPHCOPH ensures students develop the skills to work effectively with diverse populations. Direct engagement makes student work relevant, culturally grounded, and responsive to the real needs of the community. It aligns whatever is learned in lecture halls with real-world realities. Meanwhile, study abroad opportunities in Ghana and Ireland, offered by the college and university, allow students to broaden their impact even further.
More opportunities are available for those seeking to drive change in health equity. When asked what it is that makes JPHCOPH distinct, Dr. Marshall replies: “Our faculty are very supportive and engaged with our students. All JPHCOPH students are assigned a faculty mentor with opportunities for research collaborations, career advisement, and other public health focused engagement.”
Learn more about Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University.
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