Michigan State University is excited to congratulate Alexandria Liquia as the 2023 recipient of the Flint Spartan Master of Public Health Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to an incoming Master of Public Health (MPH) student who lives or works in the greater Flint community.
In this Q&A, she shares her experience as a Flint Spartan Scholar.
Liquia works at the Greater Flint Health Coalition and resides in Swartz Creek. She is currently serving as a community health worker for the Mid-Michigan Community Health Access Program (CHAP). CHAP works to improve the health outcomes of children and adults, connecting individuals to connect them to community-based resources like care coordination, lead poisoning education, health coverage, transportation, and more. As a community health worker, Liquia helps pregnant women gain access to prenatal services in the community and serves as a team member of the Genesee County Quick Response Team (QRT), connecting overdose survivors to treatment services.
What inspired you to pursue a career in public health?
My personal and professional experiences have primarily shaped my passion for public health. Through my professional work, I became very connected to my community, which gave me a unique perspective on the community's needs and available resources. After moving back to the Flint area, where I began working as a Community Health Worker, I was further reminded why my public health work was so important. From a personal perspective, I have witnessed how preventable health conditions and illnesses disproportionately affected my family members. This was primarily due to a need for more education and support, which are essential for maintaining good health. This reality pushed my drive and passion to become a public health advocate for individuals and communities who have a real chance at improving their health.
Why did you decide to apply for the Flint Spartan Scholarship?
I chose to apply for the Flint Spartan Scholarship for many reasons. I’m passionate about contributing to the health and well-being of communities, especially those facing significant challenges like Flint, MI. The scholarship’s mission focuses on investing in the health of the Flint community and supports individuals passionate about public health, which inspired me further to apply. By investing in individuals who are dedicated to serving underserved communities, this scholarship represents the values of resilience, compassion, and social responsibility that resonate deeply with me.
How has the scholarship been beneficial for your journey in public health?
The scholarship has largely alleviated the financial burden of pursuing my graduate education further, allowing me to focus more on my schooling without the financial stress. I was also able to fully embrace the MPH experience and continue to increase my knowledge and skills in public health. Overall, my scholarship has provided essential support to my journey in public health, empowered me to pursue my passion, engage in impactful work, and contribute to my community in a positive way. I am incredibly grateful for the increased opportunities the Flint Spartan Scholarship has provided and am dedicated to honoring the investment made toward my education.
What do you love the most about working in the Flint community?
Despite the many challenges Flint has had to overcome, the community continues to be resilient and committed to striving for a better life. The community members of Flint exhibit admirable strength and determination that should be recognized, and I’m grateful to be a part of the work geared toward improving the community’s health and wellness.
Additionally, collaborating with other community members and organizations who share the same purpose and a collective commitment to creating positive change is inspiring. Being immersed in such a collaborative environment cultivates innovation, creativity, and meaningful change, which is what I cherish most about working in the Flint community.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Anything involving plants, books, and painting are my favorite stress relievers. A perfect day for me would be grabbing a coffee, spending the morning splurging on new books at Barnes & Noble, and ending my day taking care of new houseplants I probably don’t need.
The Flint Spartan Master of Public Health Scholarship was created to offer financial support to deserving students from the greater Flint community to pursue a graduate-level degree in public health. Thanks to generous support from the Michigan State University Charles Stewart Mott Deaprtment of Public Health, the scholarship covers tuition and fees for our online, 43-credit MPH program.
March 21, 2024
