Alumni Update - Katherine (Binkow) Boyd, MSW, MPH, CPH

Ms. Boyd is one of 500 advanced degree candidates across the U.S. recently accepted into the Presidential Management Fellows Program from a pool of approximately 10,000 applicants. 

 

Boyd (Binkow) pictured with her family at graduation.

In October 2014, Ms. Boyd began her position with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Northwest Office of Native American Programs (NwONAP) in Seattle, Washington.  Her primary responsibilities are grants evaluations for HUD-funded housing and community development programs for Native American tribes in Washington state, Oregon, and Idaho.  She travels to reservations to meet with tribal members to review their programs and see first-hand the difference tribes are making in their own communities.  Additionally, she will receive training on policy, leadership, and management, and next year will do a rotation with a different agency, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, or the Indian Health Service, to learn about other programs related to Native American health.

The PMF Program through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is a flagship entry-level leadership development program for advanced degree candidates.  This highly competitive program has been in existence for over 3 decades, and is focused on developing a cadre of potential government leaders.  PMF fellows receive salary and benefits, along with policy, leadership, and management training, over a two-year appointment period.  Upon completion of the fellowship, they have the option of immediately convert to a permanent or term position in government.

During her interview process, in which she flew to Washington, DC to meet with PMF program administrators, Ms. Boyd notes "The PMF selection committee was highly interested in the skills and experiences I gained while completing the dual degree program at UGA. I think that the social work and public health disciplines are sought after within the federal government, and the fact that I have both of these degrees helped me gain a significant advantage in the pool of applicants."

Ms. Boyd notes, “I believe the training I received in the program is certainly the reason I got this fellowship.”

Congratulations Ms. Boyd!

Professional Experience Integrating Public Health & Social Work - Nina Cleveland, MPH, BSW

The Integration of Public Health and Social Work - Nina Cleveland, MPH, BSW

Advice for Current Students from Nina Cleveland, MPH, BSW

Alumni Update - Alethea Chiappone (Dec '13)

Congratulations to Alethea Chiappone, MSW, MPH, CPH (Dec' 13) who will be starting a new position in November 2014 as Evaluations Manager at HEARTS for Families.  

Ms. Chiappone will coordinate evaluation activities for the organization's public health and social work related programs.  HEARTS for Families is a non-profit organization that provides tools, training and education to support parents, families and communities.

Congratulations Ms. Chiappone!

Alexandra Fitzsimmons (Dec '15) featured as one of UGA's Amazing Students

Alexandra Fitzsimmons (Dec '15) is featured on the University of Georgia's website as one UGA's Amazing Students.  Read about her accomplishments here.

Highlights of her feature include her reasons for coming to UGA:  "I wanted to pursue a graduate degree in public health and social work while living close to my grandmother."

About her plans after graduation, Ms. Fitzsimmons plans on:   "...working in the fields of public health and social work that will offer me the opportunity to become an element of positive change in people’s lives, hopefully with the Veterans Affairs Administration, the International Red Crescent Committee, the World Health Organization or something similar. I am very interested in practicing within an international setting, notably Latin America or the Middle East."

Congratulations Ms. Fitzsimmons!

Meet Our Students - Amber Flanigan (Dec '15)

Ms. Amber Flanigan, BS, is pursuing an MSW (Clinical concentration) / MPH (Health Promotion and Behavior) with expected graduation in December 2015.  Ms. Flanigan earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia in May 2013.

Ms. Flanigan is interested in holistic health, nutrition education, human sexuality and attachment theory.  Ms. Flanigan is currently working as a Farm to School Coordinator at the Athens Land Trust where she collaborates with organizations such as Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful, and the University of Georgia Extension to provide farm fresh and school-grown food, along with nutrition education and garden-based learning, to Clarke County students.

Ms. Flanigan volunteers with the Cooking Matters program where she provides cooking demonstrations with local community groups and organizations and recruits volunteers and guest chefs to assist with facilitating courses.  She is certified as a Cooking Matters Course Facilitator and ServSafe Food Protection Manager Instructor through the National Restaurant Association.

Ms. Flanigan hopes to work at a holistic health agency and to pursue doctoral level education in a holistic health related field.  In her free time, she enjoys cooking, music, family, friends and spending time with her German shepherd.

Learn more about Ms. Flanigan by visiting her LinkedIn profile.