Student Testimonials

Brandon Bond

"The Injury Science certificate was a helpful tool that allowed me to enjoy the diversity of topics that comes with public health, while also narrowing my scope into a particular subset of concentrations. My particular interests included opioid overdose, suicide prevention, and ACEs. In my time as a graduate student, I worked as a Wellness Coach and HIV Prevention and Test Counselor. Between these two positions, I felt adequately prepared to work with my clients in a holistic and trauma-informed manner as I was able to apply concepts and practices I learned from the courses I took to fulfill my certificate requirements. The insight I gained from this certificate also aided in my intentionality to craft opportunities that would both add to my personal and professional development and make a meaningful community impact. Currently, I'm using aspects of my education to not only advocate for systemic mental health and well-being preventative action through my job, but I'm also contributing my injury science perspective to a suicide prevention non-profit where I serve as a Board Member."

--Brandon Bond, Mental Health & Well-Being Student Advocate, LSA Dean's Office, University of Michigan

“The Certificate in Injury Science was valuable to my MPH and my work outside of the program. It broadened my understanding of public health and helped me explore my different interests in injury and violence prevention. The flexibility of the classes allowed me to learn about different areas of injury across other university departments. This multidisciplinary approach also gave me the opportunity to practice applying a public health lens to topics in these other departments. Additionally, the certificate brought me to a community of injury-focused faculty and peers that I still connect with today. 

--Hannah Schneider, Research Associate, Center for Injury Research & Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“I walked into the School of Public Health in 2018 unsure what it had in store for me. I knew that I wanted to communicate public health trends and topics to large populations, but I was unsure how to go about doing so. In my second semester, I learned about the Injury Science certification and it felt like the stars had finally aligned. My master's degree combined with my injury science certificate allows me to speak about difficult topics regarding health and safety with confidence, create lay-friendly messaging to broad audiences around the globe, and allows me to unite an audience with one shared common goal. Regardless of the path life takes you in, I firmly believe that the Injury Science certification program will allow you to learn and build upon a wealth of knowledge that you will utilize throughout your career.”

--Jalyn Walker, Health Communications Specialist, Westat

"The Injury Science certificate formed a foundational launchpad for my career as it very aptly expanded on my interests and provided me with opportunities that I could excel in. This combined with the expertise of brilliant faculty and like-minded colleagues made this experience an enriching and fulfilling one. My summer internship with the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center and particularly my work with Dr. Sarah Stoddard, my mentor, informed my decision to gain further work experience with the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. It further helped solidify my research and academic agenda and continues to push me as I pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, informed by the principles of psychology and public health.

This certificate is valuable for anyone who is looking to build and grow their research skills in the areas of injury prevention, for those who wish to pursue a doctoral degree in the future, as well as for those who are looking for networking opportunities.”

--Vishaka Kalra, PhD Student in Clinical Psychology, Texas A&M University