Public Health Students Thrive as Charlotte Research and Community Scholars

Engaging summer opportunities are an important part of the educational experience at the College of Health and Human Services, and help students prepare for successful careers in their respective fields. The Charlotte Research Scholars and Charlotte Community Scholars programs are two among many summer experiences available to UNC Charlotte students. Five public health undergraduate students earned scholarships for summer 2017.

The Charlotte Research Scholars Program (CRS) is a summer program for high-achieving undergraduate students to gain experience in research and professional development in their field of interest. These opportunities are not typically available in the undergraduate classroom. This learn-by-doing model places an emphasis on graduate education and allows the scholars to put their experiential learning into practice, preparing them to excel in their future studies and research.In addition to mentored research activities, scholars participate in weekly professional development training to build skills critical to professional success.

Charlottte Community Scholars (CCS) work directly with a faculty mentor and a community partner on an engaged scholarship project, participate in weekly professional development meetings with other UR students, and present their research findings at the annual Charlotte Research Symposium. During the 9-week program, students engage in community-based learning and professional development opportunities while reflecting on the challenges and rewards of working for the public good.

Victoria Schoebel

Major: Public Health Sciences

Summer Program: Charlotte Research Scholar

Topic: The influence of resilience and coping strategies on the mental health of gender minority individuals in Mecklenburg County

Mentor: Jessamyn Bowling, PhD

Angela Holland

Major: Public Health Sciences

Summer Program: Charlotte Research Scholar

Topic: Evaluation of UNC Charlotte Financial Aid Recipient Food Purchasing Patterns

Mentor: Elizabeth Racine, DrPH, RD

Nialah Sharp

Major: Public Health Sciences

Summer Program: Charlotte Community Scholar

Topic: Assessing the Barriers to the Usage of Nutrition Assistance Programs at Cabarrus County Farmers Markets

Mentors: Corliss Solomon, PhD(c) and Elizabeth Racine, DrPH, RD

Community Partner: Cabarrus Health Alliance

Taylor Hoover

Major: Public Health Sciences

Summer Program: Charlotte Community Scholar

Topic: Barriers to children nutrition and physical activity for parents in Iredell County

Mentors: Ligia Vasquez, PhD student and Elizabeth Racine, DrPH, RD

Community Partner: Iredell Partnership for Young Children

Jeffrey Manchester

Major: Biology, Minor: Public Health

Summer Program: Charlotte Research Scholar

Topic: Preliminary Findings from the Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial: Effects of Feedback on Estimates of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Children with Persistent Asthma

Mentor: Andrew Harver, PhD