Doctor of Public Health Student Association provides doctoral students with a community to grow academically and professionally
December marks the first full semester for San Diego State University’s Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Student Association. The organization launched in August 2025 and provides a community where DrPH students in the School of Public Health can improve their skills, enhance their education, and build relationships in the public health sector.
The organization provides members with resources for professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and peer mentorship. During a two-week excursion, as part of the DrPH course, “Community Health Systems Management”, members had the chance to visit various organizations in San Diego, Imperial County, and Baja California.
The organization brings together full-time public health professionals who are also doctoral students, like Alicia Espinoza, the events and outreach chair.
Espinoza is in the global health concentration of the doctoral program. She also serves as Chief of the Office of Border Health at the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, where she brings together local, state, and federal organizations working in Baja California to promote “cross-border collaboration, prevention, and response.”
She previously worked with Latino youth and families in the non-profit sector for 15 years.
In her current position with the Doctor of Public Health Student Association, she leads the planning and execution of events in order to drive engagement and increase recruitment for the organization. The events calendar is currently in the works for 2026.
The organization’s main purpose is to connect students and to build community within the DrPH program. It launched a peer mentorship program between the DrPH cohorts to “support progress, perspective, and community throughout the doctoral journey,” Espinoza said.
The DrPH program is fairly new itself, having begun in 2022. Espinoza is halfway through the program and acknowledged its impact on her professional skills.
“Allowing the dedicated space to continue growing, learning, and hearing from other Public/Global Health professionals has enabled me to develop as a leader,” Espinoza said, referring to the program. “I feel a sense of reinforcement in my line of work and a greater passion for what I do.”
She also acknowledged the organization’s impact on the community within the DrPH program. To meet members’ busy schedules, the organization provides flexibility and open-mindedness about membership. It allowed Espinoza to participate even while juggling work, education, and family.
As it prepares for the spring semester, the organization intends to create new experiences and opportunities for its members and embrace their diverse public health backgrounds.
