Kala Jamison, a USF College of Public Health (COPH) graduate, is a mover and a shaker.

Literally and figuratively.

Over the course of her college career, Jamison changed schools, locations and majors. At the COPH, she was sometimes forced to attend part time, so she could hold down multiple jobs to pay for tuition and living expenses. Other semesters she took a full course load and worked full time.

“The moment I accepted that my journey was unlike others and I eliminated this mental timeline I had bonded myself to, that’s when I felt emotionally free,” said the COPH alum who earned her BSPH in 2018. “I spent less time worrying about when I was going to make it to my finish line and more time being proactive and acknowledging that I was taking all the steps necessary to achieve my goal. The entire journey gave me the confidence that I can overcome any obstacle, because I have always done so.”

Jamison started out as a chemistry major with a public health minor but quickly flipped that around the more she dove into her courses.

“I fell in love with the opportunity to not only improve the health of individuals, but also improve the health of and prevent diseases in populations,” she commented. “The further along I got in my coursework, I found an interest in epidemiology and global health.”

After graduation, Jamison went to work for Moffitt Cancer Center as a research assistant.

“I have been part of two monumental projects,” she said. “One was developing a biobank for African-American men with prostate cancer, so as to increase representation of African men in research and better understand the genetic influences of the cancer. The other was a Southeastern case control study aiming at identifying environmental and genetic contributions to adult brain tumors (glioma and meningioma).”

Today, Jamison is contracting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), working at the group’s quarantine station in Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and reviewing illness reports for COVID-19 and other communicable diseases among international travelers.

“This experience has been like nothing I could have ever imagined,” said Jamison. “My role has changed several times since my initial onboarding. My family and friends have been deeply concerned but over the past months, I’ve remained calm. I have not allowed fear to consume my mind. Because of my concern for underserved populations, the effects the virus has had on those communities have been really disheartening to me. Calming the spread of this virus will be a global effort, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.”

Jamison says one her proudest moments while at the COPH was delivering the keynote address at the pinning ceremony for 2019’s BSPH graduating students.

“I believe my journey wasn’t just for me but was meant to be shared with others,” said Jamison, who intends to continue her education with an MPH. “It was imperative for me to encourage students to remain persistent and go after all the uncomfortable moves in life. The overwhelming response from students, families and faculty has honestly inspired me. It’s allowed me to reflect and ask myself ‘If I’ve come this far, what more can I accomplish?’”

Alumni Fast Five

What did you dream of becoming when you were young?

I dreamed I would become a journalist. Writing was my childhood passion.

Where might we find you on the weekend?

On a mini vacation! I’m a frequent traveler, always open for a quick new adventure!

What is the last book you read?

“Becoming,” by Michelle Obama

What superpower would you like to have?

Teleportation! I would love to skip long flights and teleport to any country.

What’s your all-time favorite movie?

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health