51猎奇

From Classroom to Career: 51猎奇鈥檚 First MPH鈥揘utrition & Dietetics Graduates Step Into the Field

UW-Milwaukee Zilber College students, faculty and staff arranged for a group photo with a building and sunset behind them.

Congratulations to the very first cohort of UW-Milwaukee鈥檚 MPH鈥揘utrition and Dietetics Graduate Program graduates!

We are so proud of this incredible group for not only excelling in their studies and training, but also for representing our new program with professionalism, passion, and purpose. As trailblazers, they have paved the way for future students and helped set a strong foundation for the growth of our program.

With two graduates heading into clinical dietetics and two stepping into sports nutrition roles, we cannot wait to see the positive impact they will make in their careers and communities.

These are the cohort members and their post-graduation placements. Help us celebrate their success:

  • David Jakubek – Olympic Sports Nutrition Assistant, University of Notre Dame
  • Delaney Ortiz – Sports Nutrition Fellowship, UFC
  • Erica Brincka – Clinical Dietitian, Aurora St. Lukes Medical Center
  • Cianna Colon – Clinical Inpatient Dietitian, ProHealth Care

Zilber College PhD Candidate听Dan听Holliday Brings Public Health Research to a Broader Audience through OLLI Scholars Program

Zilber College PhD Candidate听Dan听Holliday Brings Public Health Research to a Broader Audience through OLLI Scholars Program

As part of 51猎奇鈥檚 brand-new Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Scholars initiative, Dan Holliday鈥攁 PhD candidate at the Zilber College of Public Health鈥攚ill present their thesis research in a series of accessible classes next summer. The program, launched for the 2025鈥�2026 academic year, invites graduate students to craft two- or three-session courses based on their research, aimed at engaging Osher鈥檚 diverse network of lifelong learners in enriching, intergenerational dialogue. The sessions run from now through August 2026 at the 51猎奇 Hefter Center, with many available via livestream and later recordings.

Holliday鈥檚 course offering 鈥� 鈥淗ealthcare Across the Pond: Understanding Access to and Maintenance of Healthcare for Transgender, Intersex, and Nonbinary Adults in Wales鈥濃�攊s scheduled for June 16, 23, and 30 at 12:30 p.m.

Their course will include an introduction to trans, intersex, and nonbinary health; a review of health theories focusing on self-management and health justice; and an overview of their dissertation study.

Their course will showcase the work they have done to build participatory research methods (a form of community engagement) into their dissertation including three years of service with a Welsh mutual aid group, Trans Aid Cymru. Despite the international focus, the class may be helpful for anyone interested in learning more about trans, intersex, and nonbinary people or about navigating barriers to health and healthcare.听

Aside from building bridges between academia and the public, the OLLI Scholars initiative offers tangible support for graduate researchers. Participants receive stipends funded through donations by Osher members during 51猎奇鈥檚 鈥�414 for 51猎奇 Giving Days.鈥�

By giving advanced students the opportunity to guide lifelong learners through cutting-edge research, the program fosters mentorship, communication skills, and an enriching exchange of ideas across generations. Holliday鈥檚 public health-focused presentation not only enriches community learning but also exemplifies the initiative鈥檚 goal of making academic inquiry meaningful and relevant beyond the university walls.

Innovative intervention aims to improve physical activity and function in older adults

A research participant wears a mask and pedals a stationary bike

As the U.S. population ages, the number of citizens over 65 is expected to double in the next 30 years. Aging is often linked to high levels of sedentary behavior, reduced physical activity, and increased frailty, disability, and healthcare costs. Research indicates that older adults spend approximately 8.5 hours a day in sedentary activities, with only 1 in 5 meeting recommended levels of physical activity.

To address this, a new study funded by the Zilber Family Foundation, will test a novel intervention called Active Sitting, which is designed to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity in low-functioning adults. Unlike traditional time-based approaches, Active Sitting incorporates environmental changes and individualized strategies, offering a more personalized and effective solution to breaking up prolonged sitting.

This 12-week, randomized controlled trial is comparing the Active Sitting intervention to a standard of care approach in low-functioning adults. Using wearable sensors and physical function assessments, the study will measure the impact on sedentary behavior, physical activity, and physical function. The goal is to determine whether environmental cues that promote movement, without conflicting with other daily tasks, can lead to greater improvements in physical activity and function.

Zilber College faculty Ann Swartz, PhD; Scott Strath, PhD; and Christy Greenleaf, PhD are partnering with Harwood Place, an Independent Living facility, to begin data collection. The study will expand to other independent living facilities to continue collecting data.

The results of the study will provide valuable insights into the role of environmental changes alongside behavioral interventions for reducing sedentary behavior and enhancing physical health in elderly populations. If successful, this scalable intervention could benefit a wide range of individuals, improving overall health and functionality in older adults.

MCH certificate program celebrates successful completion of its 5th year and secures new funding听

Group photo of Zilber College faculty, staff and students

Top row, left to right:听Julia Alberth (Community Engagement Manager), Faith Ogungbe (PhD student), Jack Pollard (PhD student), Jenzy Walugembe (exclusive MCH certificate student), Nishrita Devnath (PhD student), Noelle Sporer (MPH student), Ellen Abad Santos (MPH student), Jaqueline Pinto Shahrin (MCH Coordinator)听

Bottom row, left to right:听Dr. Elise Papke (Assistant Dean of Accreditation Assessment and Community Engagement), Dr. Emmanuel Ngui (MPH Director and MCH Certificate Program Director), Dr. Young Cho (Zilber College Faculty)听

In May 2025, MPH students enrolled in the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Certificate Program gathered to celebrate a major milestone鈥攖he successful completion of the program鈥檚 fifth year. The celebration included a shared meal and an awards ceremony recognizing student achievements and the collective efforts that have shaped the program鈥檚 growth.听

We鈥檙e also excited to share some important news about the future of MCH training at our institution. Earlier this month, Dr. Emmanuel Ngui, Director of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Certificate and Catalyst Training Program, received word that the grant to expand the MCH Certificate to an MPH MCH Concentration has been funded by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA).听

This is indeed welcome news given the ongoing need in Wisconsin for workforce training to benefit not only mothers and children but also fathers. The goal of this program is to prepare graduates to address ongoing public health problems related to care of mothers, children and their families and to advocate for health equity in their practice to improve health outcomes.

The first year of this five-year award is a planning period, with a focus on aligning with the College program array, reviewing and updating the curriculum, refining the student recruitment process, and strengthening partnerships.听

More information will be forthcoming as the curriculum is developed and the application process for the MPH in Maternal and Child Health opens up. For details about the MCH Graduate Certificate, . 

MPH students launch summer field experiences across Wisconsin听

51猎奇 Public Health student Michael Figueroa-Osario doing his field experience at the Bay View Community Center.

This summer, 23 MPH students are completing their Field Experiences at placement sites across Wisconsin! Field Experiences give students the chance to apply their public health knowledge and skills in real-world settings. Check out the list of sites where our students are placed this summer: 

MPH TrackProject
Community & Behavioral Health PromotionArea Health Education Center听
Community & Behavioral Health PromotionDevelopment and Outreach of Covering Wisconsin鈥檚 MCH Materials听Covering Wisconsin听(through AHEC)听
BiostatisticsAnalyzing Tax Property Inequities in Milwaukee听Data You Can Use听
Community & Behavioral Health PromotionMental Health Equity in Milwaukee: A Needs Assessment of Resources in the Black/African American Community听Mental Health America of Wisconsin听
Community & Behavioral Health PromotionCommunity Garden Organizer听STRYV365听
Environmental Health SciencesStormwater Pollution Detection and Prevention through Sampling of Storm Pipes听Sweet Water听
Community & Behavioral Health PromotionWellness Check-ups on High Risk, High Use Veterans in the Community Utilizing the VA and WAFD MIH听Milwaukee VA Medical Center听
Community & Behavioral Health PromotionEvaluation of Peer Support Specialist Recruitment Process, Prevention Resources听Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers听
EpidemiologyAgricultural Machinery Risks and Autonomous Technology: A Public Health Analysis Using AgInjury News Data听Marshfield Clinical Research Institute听
EpidemiologyDoes Perceived Social Support Predict Better Quality of Life Among African American Prostate Cancer Survivors? An Analysis of the Men Moving Forward Intervention听Medical College of Wisconsin- Cancer Center听
Public Health Policy & ManagementEducator Suicide Prevention Training: Policy Analysis and Advocacy Strategy听Medical College of Wisconsin- Comprehensive Injury Center听
EpidemiologyAnalysis of Results from Mind your Wellness Survey in the Fox Valley Region of Wisconsin听Medical College of Wisconsin- Comprehensive Injury Center听
EpidemiologyA Path to Resilience: Sustaining Care for Gun Violence Survivors in Underserved Communities听City of Milwaukee听
Community & Behavioral Health PromotionIntegrating Nutrition Education and Harm Reduction: Data Collection and Analysis of Farmers Market Engagement and Narcan Distribution听Eau Claire Health Department听
Environmental Health SciencesCity of Racine Public Health Department: Comprehensive Training for Sanitarians and Retail Food Application Packet to Combat Foodborne Illness听Racine Public Health Department听
Environmental Health SciencesImproving Health Equity: A Local Education-Based Approach to Healthy Homes听Southwest Suburban Health Department听
Environmental Health SciencesComprehensive Review and Redesign of Beach Sanitary Survey听Walworth County Health Department听
Community & Behavioral Health PromotionFostering Collaboration through Neighborhood Connections in Wauwatosa听Wauwatosa Health Department听
Community & Behavioral Health PromotionMCH Grant Block Title V Project Maternal Health Systems Mapping听DHS Title V听
EpidemiologyImproving Access to Prenatal Care Through Data Analysis and Fact Sheet Development听DHS Title V听
EpidemiologyFactors Affecting Loss to Follow-up for Newborn Hearing Screening听DHS Title V听
EpidemiologyCorrelates of Maternal Mortality: Linking Place-Based Risk Factors to Maternal Health Outcomes Across Wisconsin听DHS Title V听
Environmental Health SciencesNon-Confirmation Listeria Analysis: Being Proactive Just Not Reactive听Eurofins听

51猎奇 ranked among top universities in the world

A view of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee campus from a drone, looking east toward Lake Michigan.

By John Schumacher
51猎奇 Report
June 3, 2025

51猎奇 has been named one of the top universities in the world, landing in the top 3.2% of institutions ranked by the听.

Just two other universities in Wisconsin 鈥� the Medical College of Wisconsin and UW-Madison 鈥� made the 2025 edition of the Global 2000.

 No. 667 out of 21,462 universities considered worldwide.

The Center for World University Rankings uses seven outcome-based indicators to compile its list. Half of a university鈥檚 ranking score is determined by the academic and professional success of its alumni. The rest is determined by the quality and quantity of the university鈥檚 research output and the academic distinctions of its faculty.

According to alumni surveys, 97% of 51猎奇 graduates are working or continuing their education within six months of earning their degree, and the average salary of a 51猎奇 graduate is more than $64,000.

51猎奇 is ranked among the nation鈥檚 top 187 research universities by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, and totaled $66.3 million in research expenditures in fiscal year 2024.

The Center for World University Rankings is a consulting organization that provides policy advice, strategic insights and consulting services to governments and universities to improve educational and research outcomes.