The Public Health Scholars is a selective merit-based program for academically strong students who have a passion and demonstrated interest in addressing health equity and becoming leaders in their future public health-related disciplines. Scholars are required to major or minor in Public Health Studies.

Program Highlights

Students selected to participate in the Public Health Scholars program spend four years working closely with faculty mentors exploring the many facets of public health and partnering with community collaborators to promote the health of the surrounding area.

Year One

In the first year, students deepen their understanding through engaging opportunities with a variety of public health professionals, learning about their educational and professional experiences.

  • Complete PHS 2010: Introduction to Public Health with other scholars and partner with local agencies to address relevant public health issues.
  • Attend the annual Minority Health Conference at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and events with the Triad Global Health Consortium.
  • Participate in workshops offered by the CREDE.
  • Meet with Kernodle Center for Civic Life staff to learn about specific public health-related opportunities.
  • Participate in discussions about important issues in public health-related fields.
  • Attend a panel of public health professionals and explore different career pathways.
  • Attend SURF (Spring Undergraduate Research Forum) presentations followed by conversations with presenters to learn about research opportunities on campus.

Year Two

  • The second year of the program is devoted to public health in action, highlighted by deepening student collaboration on community-based, service-learning opportunities.
  • Share first-year experiences at a Public Health Scholars welcome back event.
  • Collaborate with fellow Scholars and representatives from community-based organizations.
  • Engage with Student Professional Development Center staff to discover public-health focused summer research and internship opportunities.
  • Complete a public health career plan in collaboration with your academic advisor.
  • Take at least one course that allows Public Health Scholars to develop a deeper understanding of public health groups most impacted by public health problems.

Junior and Senior Years

  • Pursue formal and informal leadership opportunities and civic engagement activities on campus and in the local community.
  • Serve as mentors for first- and second-year Public Health Scholars.
  • Complete faculty-mentored undergraduate research.
  • Pursue a domestic internship, Study USA or study abroad experience.
  • Complete a paper in Senior Seminar focused on health equity and social justice.

Ready to Apply?

Students with substantial and broad leadership experiences in their high school and/or communities are competitive candidates for Elon’s Scholars programs. Fifteen Public Health Scholars are selected in each first-year class.

The Public Health Scholars application is due January 10 and available in the first-year application. Decisions will be released in mid-March. Students may apply for a maximum of two programs:

  • Option 1: Two Fellows Programs. Under this option, you may apply to one school-based program (Business, Communications, Elon College, Engineering, Nursing or Teaching) and one nonschool-based program (Honors or Leadership).
  • Option 2: One Fellows Program and one Scholars Program.
  • Option 3: Two Scholars Programs.