Since 1990, the USF College of Public Health’s Alumni Society (COPH-AS) has been working to recruit alumni and mentor students, give out scholarships and plan events to foster Bull pride. At its peak in 1996, more than 300 paid alumni were members of the society.

Today, the COPH-AS is thriving. The group helps keep alumni connected to the college by publishing the quarterly newsletter, USF COPH AlumNews, hosting virtual campaigns, holding leadership meetings, Alumni in Residence events and student networking opportunities. 

The COPH-AS was named “the most improved program” by the USF Alumni Association in 2020 and received the “best student program” award in 2021 for their annual 7@7 event.

“The COPH-AS has made a great impact on my life. As someone who is proud to be a double USF COPH alumnus, the society has given me the opportunity to give back to the COPH. I have also met other incredible USF COPH alumni,” COPH alum and vice president of the COPH-AS Juan Pablo Sanchez said. “The society is welcoming, always thinking about innovative ways to engage with more COPH alumni and always open to new ideas. The COPH-AS is what WE want to make of it!”

The future heroes

The COPH-AS members are recently launched the initiative, “Heroes Helping Heroes.”

Members hope that this new initiative helps incentivize USF COPH alumni, many of whom are working on the frontlines of the pandemic response or in other heroic career paths, to help current COPH students studying public health and who aspire to contribute to the global public health workforce to prevent, mitigate and respond to future pandemics. They plan to implement the theme via a campaign to raise funds for the Alumni Student Scholarship.

This January, as part of the USF Stampede of Service, the Heroes Helping Heroes campaign invites all COPH alumni to join the alumni society and help welcome a child survivor of trauma to their temporary home.

The COPH-AS is partnering with Metropolitan Ministries to provide comfort items for children when they move into temporary housing at one of their shelters. With generous donations from COPH alumni, a welcome package including puzzles, board games, dolls, stuffed animals (Bulls, of course!) and more will greet children when they arrive at their temporary home!

This Stampede of Service project is virtual and is one that alumni can participate with regardless of their age and location. Learn more here.

Alumni in Residence

Alumni in COPH-AS are involved in every facet of the COPH. They serve on the dean’s advisory board, mentor students in practice experience and speak with prospective students about their academic endeavors and more.

Some of the main goals of the COPH-AS are to engage with as many COPH alumni as possible, provide opportunities that are of interest to alumni, give back to the Tampa Bay community by engaging in community service opportunities and develop relationships between prospective students, current COPH students and alumni via mentorship.

The group has also had to be strategic with how they engage with alumni given the current pandemic.

When the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world, the society leadership group at the time decided to create a new virtual programming series.

As everyone was sheltering in place at home, the program was named Alumni in Residence and featured alumni at their place of residence leading a variety of programs. Some of the programs offered during that time included yoga, financial planning, the craft, quilting and career development.

The series also included a few fundraising initiatives that were also held virtually.

“The Alumni in Residence series has been extremely popular and successful,” said Natalie Preston, director of the COPH Office of Engagement and Constituent Relations.

Seven Alumni, Seven P.M.

One popular student/alumni event held every fall is 7@7. Seven alumni meet with students and other alums at 7 p.m. to discuss their careers and provide mentorship.

The current virtual nature of the event has attracted panelists from all around the United States and even across the globe. The alumni represent the public and private sectors—non-profit, all levels of government, military, academia, hospital administration and philanthropy.

The 7@7 events are open to all USF students and COPH alumni. This year, a total of 70 people participated.

“The 7@7 opportunity is great because it allows us to simultaneously engage with prospective students, current COPH students and alumni,” said Pablo Sanchez. “Prospective students are exposed to what public health is in the real world, current students get to learn about career opportunities in public health and alumni get to highlight their success and promote their organizations.”

To get involved with the alumni society at any level, complete this brief interest survey.

Story by Sabrina Arancibia and Caitlin Keough, USF College of Public Health