“After graduating from Truman, I began working at Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services as a health educator while pursuing my Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in health promotion and policy at the University of Missouri-Columbia. I worked as a health educator focusing on adolescent health, HIV, and health literacy for three years before taking my current position as public health promotion supervisor. In this role, I oversee a team of health educators who work on a variety of prevention strategies. I also serve as an adjunct professor for the University of Missouri MPH program. Truman gave me the foundation I needed to succeed in public health. I use the skills and knowledge I gained at Truman every day. My advice for current and prospective students is to keep an open mind when thinking about your career path. When I entered the HES program, I didn’t think I would end up in public health, but thanks to the guidance and support from HES faculty, I found a career that I love.”
—Michelle (Riefe) Shikles (’11), Health Science, Minors in Psychology & Biology