A new herd of Bulls entered the USF College of Public Health on Thursday, August 17. They arrived at orientation ready to learn and share their public health passions with others.

Marissa Estrada is one of the college’s 296 new students. At 7:40 a.m., she was the first student to arrive for orientation. Estrada is a military brat who earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from Auburn University. When asked why she chose USF, Estrada asserted, “Because USF COPH is ranked #1 in the state and I wanted to move back to Florida!”

The rest of the class includes: 171 MPH, 14 MSPHs, nine MHA, 58 BSPH, and 12 PhD students.

The college also enrolled a record number of 31 new students into the DrPH program.

 

Orientation day included small and large group sessions with academic and student affairs, departments, graduate and undergraduate studies, as well as a USF resource expo.

 

 

USF hosts a Week of Welcome for all new students. This year, the COPH joined in the festivities to promote the college’s nationally ranked bachelor’s degree and new Health Scholars Program.

Despite the record heat temperature on Aug. 22, more than 800 students showed up on the Marshall Student Center lawn to test their knowledge with public health Jeopardy, It’s Your Health trivia, and reproductive health games like demonstrating the proper steps for using a condom (Hint: there are 12 steps!)! Incoming freshmen also enjoyed Kona Ice, corn hole, mini drones, magic card tricks, a rock climbing wall and Rocky D. Bull.

Story by Natalie Preston, USF College of Public Health