WVU School of Public Health welcomes new ambassadors for 2025-26 academic year

Photo caption: (Left to right) McKenzie Akers, Amelia Holtschneider, Trey Rouse, Connor Stricklen and Sabrina Thorn are the newest ambassadors for the WVU School of Public Health.

The West Virginia University School of Public Health is pleased to welcome five new student ambassadors for the 2025-26 academic year.

Master of Health Administration student McKenzie Akers, a Logan, West Virginia native, recalls student ambassadors sharing their experiences with her when she had her first visit to the School of Public Health. In that moment, she knew she wanted to follow in their footsteps.

“This school has taught me and shaped me into the individual I am today,” Akers said. “I hope to share my experiences with current and future students, helping to build a strong School of Public Health that will last for years to come.”

Through experience and casual conversation, it quickly became apparent to senior undergraduate student Amelia Holtschneider that many people don’t understand the scope of public health and the significant impact it has on everyday life.

“I think many people believe that the only way they can make a difference in helping others is through clinical work, and I would like to show them that there are other pathways to take,” said Holtschneider, of Oakland, Maryland.

After graduation, Holtschneider plans to shift into the clinical setting with the end goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.

Returning to the School to earn his Master of Public Health in epidemiology, Trey Rouse, of Garrett County, Maryland, realizes the importance of being a guide and resource for prospective students.

After earning his undergraduate degree from the School of Public Health and now starting his master's degree, he has a thorough understanding of the academic and professional development journey. He’s looking forward to advocating for the School of Public Health—the very place that has personally helped him develop through the years.

As far as long-term plans, “I want to become an infectious disease epidemiologist for a health department or government agency,” Rouse said. “The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the importance and need for more epidemiologists for future events.”

Charleston native and Master of Public Health student Connor Stricklen chose to study public health, because he experienced first-hand what food deserts can do to a community, which has fueled his passion for public health.

“I truly believe the only way that we as a state and nation will become healthier, physically and mentally, is to put an emphasis on primary and preventative care through public health education and programs,” Stricklen said. “I want to help spread this message and awareness of the School of Public Health across the campus of WVU and metropolitan area.”

Stricklen plans to use his strong networking skills and professional connections throughout the state to help achieve this change, while at the same time reaching out to prospective students.

Wheeling native and Accelerated Bachelor's to Master of Public Health student, Sabrina Thorn, chose to study public health because she wanted a major that incorporated aspects of healthcare, business administration, and research into one degree.

“Public health has many avenues for students to explore,” Thorn said. “Since our field is so broad, many of our graduates have gone on to medical school, law school, occupational therapy, social work and other professional programs.”

Thorn views the WVU School of Public Health as a great exploratory option for prospective students that want to be involved in the healthcare field but are unsure what specific profession they would like to go into.

To learn more about the WVU School of Public Health and our academic program, visit publichealth.wvu.edu.