Suzanne (Young) Hunt, a 2014 graduate of the Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior (HPEB) program, has been named the 2019 Emerging Wellness Professional by the National Wellness Institute. Hunt was recognized with the award, which honors the work and impact of newcomers to the wellness industry, at the 44th Annual National Wellness Conference held in Florida in October.
Originally from a small North Carolina town, Hunt earned dual bachelor degrees in health and wellness promotion and elementary education from the University of North Carolina, Asheville. When looking at graduate schools, she had a hard time choosing until she began making campus visits – meeting with professors to learn about research and mentorship opportunities.
“When I visited UofSC, it immediately felt like home,” says Hunt, who chose the MPH in HPEB program because it allowed her to blend her undergraduate degrees together while expanding her knowledge and skills. “I met with a few professors and they were kind, took plenty of time to talk to me, and even showed me around campus! I was so impressed with this, along with the research topics that were being covered, I felt like it was a perfect fit.”
The mentorship experience that she sought when choosing the Arnold School was fulfilled when Hunt connected with HPEB faculty Heather Brandt and Lee Pearson as well as clinical associate professor of public health education Kara Montgomery. “All of these people supported me and acted in roles beyond just simply being my advisor or professor,” Hunts says. “Each of them helped me explore different areas within the large field of public health, and because of this, I graduated from the program knowing what I wanted, and what my strengths were in order to begin my professional career. For that, I will always thank them, and continue to look up to them.” Read more here.