CHS Student Named IPHA Public Health Student of the Year

Janna Stansell, an MPH student in the Community Health Sciences division, has been named Public Health Student of the Year by the Illinois Public Health Association. Janna will be presented with the award at the association’s annual meeting on April 10. The following excerpt from the nominating statement for Janna demonstrates why Janna was chosen for this honor.

Janna Stansell is an outstanding student (GPA for her MPH degree program = 4.0) who has promoted volunteerism among students at the UIC School of Public Health, leading through example. As a Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellow, Janna designed and implemented an after school program for youth and a fitness and discussion group program for adult residents at the Chicago Christian Industrial League. Working with the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, Janna developed a “Sex Education Best Practice Guidelines” fact sheet and a technical assistance plan for the Caucus’ community organizing and evaluation plan efforts. She also created a group assessment survey to be used in evaluating community organizing campaign efforts. Even while personally involved in this extensive array of volunteer efforts, Janna identifies, promotes, and organizes volunteer experience opportunities for other public health students throughout the year.