Welcome to the Master of Public Health Student Association
The Master of Public Health Student Association (MaPHSA) at the University of Southern California (USC) is a student-run organization that supports resident and online Master of Public Health (MPH) students academically, professionally, and socially.
Mission
MaPHSA’s mission is to promote academic excellence and professional development among USC MPH students, build a strong community among USC MPH students and alumni & support public health initiatives in the local community and beyond
Initiatives
MaPHSA offers a variety of programs and events to meet its mission, including academic support, professional development, & social events
Support
MaPHSA, a vital resource for USC MPH students, empowers them academically, professionally, and personally while fostering a commitment to public health and advocacy
Recent Events & Initiatives
- Networking Events: MaPHSA hosts regular networking events to help students connect with potential employers and other professionals in the public health field
- Public Health in Action: A weekly seminar series featuring guest speakers from different areas of public health
- MPH Mentorship Program: A program that pairs current MPH students with experienced alumni mentors
- Volunteering Opportunities: MaPHSA partners with a variety of local organizations to provide volunteering opportunities for its members
- Advocacy: MaPHSA advocates for public health policies that promote the health and well-being of all communities
Check back soon for events
These programs are open to all eligible individuals. Master of Public Health Student Association operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.
Meet the MaPHSA Executive Board 2025-2026
President: David Palomino
MPH, Health Services and Policy
David is a second-year Master of Public Health student with a strong passion for advancing health equity in vulnerable communities. He earned his B.S. in Applied Exercise Science from Azusa Pacific University, where he developed a foundation in health promotion and community wellness. Currently, David serves as a fellow for the Randall Lewis Health and Policy Fellowship and interns with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services in the Equity and Engagement division. As the President of MaPHSA, David leads the organization in fostering collaboration, engagement, and advocacy to support the MPH student community.
Fun Fact: David has been to all five MLB stadiums in California (pre-Sacramento A’s).
President (Online): Hannah Greenwald MPH, Biostatistics-Epidemiology
Hannah is a second-year student in the MPH program on the Biostatistics and Epidemiology track. She is a Los Angeles native and motivated to further access to healthcare to vulnerable populations including aging adults. Hannah is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara where she assisted research on a NIH funded study which investigated the well-being of adults with dementia using Virtual Reality. Hannah is currently a fellow with The Randall Lewis Health and Policy Fellowship program and contributes to the work of Blue Zones helping communities live better, longer. In her free time, Hannah enjoys sunset walks on the beach, watching reruns of Friends, and spending time with loved ones. She is thrilled to help cultivate belonging within both the online and in-person MPH programs as the online president.
Fun Fact: Hannah has a twin sister who lives in New York.
Director of Finance: Shelsy Zarate MPH, Community Health Promotion
Shelsy is a second year MPH student concentrating in Community Health Promotion. She was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, and received her B.A from Pomona College in Claremont, California, where she double majored in Science, Technology & Society (STS) and Latin American Studies. Shelsy’s public health
passions include addressing health disparities in education and chronic illnesses, especially in low-income communities of color. She also enjoys participating in pediatric and youth/adolescent health. In her free time, Shelsy likes to run, design calendars, and spend time with her friends and family.Fun Fact: Shelsy has seen 4 out of 5 of her top artists on Spotify live in concert.
Secretary: Nazmun Mumu
MPH, Biostatistics-Epidemiology
Nazmun is a second-year Master of Public Health student in the Biostatistics and Epidemiology concentration. She’s worked as a dental assistant, as a research assistant at UCLA studying the impact of hormonal fluctuations on women’s health, and mentored underrepresented students in higher education. Drawing from her diverse clinical and research experiences, she strives to bridge the gap between dental hygiene and public health while promoting health literacy among immigrant and low-income communities. As secretary, Nazmun is responsible for creating the MaPHSA monthly newsletter and facilitating events. Currently, Nazmun is interning as a data analyst with two different non-profit organizations and aspires to become a dental provider who advocates for oral health and its critical connection to chronic disease prevention.
Fun Fact: Nazmun is fluent in four languages and is currently learning two others.
Director of Events: Hien Phuong Le MPH, Global Health
Hien Phuong Le is a second-year Master of Public Health student with a concentration in global health. She is passionate about improving healthcare access and outcomes through research, community-based interventions, and patient-centered care. She earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Public Health from the University of California, Irvine, where she explored the connections between psychology and public health to examine the drivers of health disparities in underserved communities. Currently, Hien Phuong serves as a fellow with the Randall Lewis Health and Policy Fellowship and interns with the Institute for People, Place, and Possibility (IP3). IP3 is a nonprofit organization that works to build healthy communities by providing a platform for data sharing, resource comparison, and integration. As Director of Events (Resident) for MaPHSA, she is committed to fostering a supportive community within the MPH program by organizing events that reflect the interests and needs of her peers.
Fun Fact: In Hien’s free time, she enjoys hosting home cafes and experimenting with new matcha recipes.
Director of Events (Online): Maya Garcia
MPH, Health Services and Policy
Maya is a second-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student with a concentration in Health Services and Policy. She earned her B.S. in Public Health from Cal State LA, where she developed a passion for driving fundamental change in healthcare. Currently, Maya is completing her practicum as an intern with California Health Policy Strategies, L.L.C. (CalHPS) in Sacramento, supporting projects with USC Street Medicine and CalAIM. In her role as Director of Events (Online) for MaPHSA, she is dedicated to building connections among online MPH students and strengthening Trojan spirit across all learning modalities.
Fun Fact: Maya has been planning a trip to Europe to attend different music festivals next year.
GSG Senator: Mary Sarkisyan
MPH, Health Services and Policy
Mary is a second-year Master of Public Health student at USC in the Health Services and Policy track. She earned her B.A. in Public Health from UC Irvine and works as a Senior Pharmacy Technician. She serves as a GSG Senator for MaPHSA, representing student concerns and building connections across Health Sciences Campus student bodies. Her interests lie at the intersection of health policy, healthcare delivery, and pharmaceutical access, with a passion for improving health equity. She aims to combine her pharmacy and public health background to influence policy and design patient-centered healthcare systems. In her free time, she enjoys discovering new destinations and cooking.
Fun Fact: Mary is an Irish twin, so she never had an only-child phase.
Contact Us
Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you!
Feel free to email us at maphsa@usc.edu and we will get back to you soon.