Congratulations to our graduates!

The Center for Health Equity Research offers our congratulations to our graduates––Jennifer Etcitty, who graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Andria Begay, Kalvina Lee Belin, Ruby Meraz and Kristen Tallis who graduate with a Master of Public Health, either Indigenous Health Track or Health Promotion Track.

Learn more about them:

Master of Public Health

Andria Begay

Yá’át’ééh shí éí Andria Begay yinishyé. Kinyaa’áanii nishłí. Kinyaa’áanii Báshíshchíín. Dééshchii’nii dashicheii. Tł’áshchí’í dashinalí. Ákót’éego Diné asdzáání nishłí. Hello, my name is Andria Begay. I am from Tuba City, Arizona but have attended school in Flagstaff, Arizona from Kindergarten to graduate school. I will graduate with my Master of Public Health degree in May 2020 from NAU. In the fall, I will continue my academic journey at the University of North Dakota, pursuing a Ph.D. in Indigenous Health.
I would like to thank everyone at the CHER office for their continued support and words of encouragement! I have loved seeing the CHER family grow and am grateful to have been with CHER since my undergrad.

---

Kalvina Lee Belin

My name is Kalvina Lee Belin; I am of the Bitter Water clan, born for the Coyote Pass clan. The Tangle people are my maternal grandfather and the Salt people are my paternal grandfather. And that is how I identify myself as a Diné (Navajo) woman. I’m enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program with an emphasis in Indigenous Health.
I would like to dedicate this message to express my gratitude to my family, peers, mentors, and instructors. A huge shout out to my husband, Marcus, and daughter, Leighanne, for supporting my educational endeavors. I would also like to give a shout out to my MPH peers; we struggle through a lot of challenges together. Thank you to my mentor Dr. Priscilla Sanderson and supervisor Heather Dreifuss for guiding me and allowing me to take part in projects. Thank you to all my instructors in the Health Sciences Department. To my mother, Carol Lee, my grandmother, Betty Morgan, my uncle, Darrell Lee Sr. and my aunt, Vera J. Lee, thank you for raising me into the person I am today. To my siblings Kevin, Alvina, Tisha and Anna, thank you for always being there for us.

For the summer, I will be working as an internship site coordinator with Navajo Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH). I will be coordinating the practicum activities for the SREP (undergraduate) students and will be in a teaching role for the ISEP (high school) students.
I would like additional work experience in the field of public health and having familiarity with working with the community before I plan to pursue the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH).

---

Ruby Meraz

I was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona, and received my Bachelor’s in Public Health from NAU. During my master’s program, I served the NAU community as a graduate assistant with the Health Promotion office. I focused on educating students on alcohol and other drugs, as well as sexual violence prevention. I have a passion for working with underrepresented populations and using technology to solve public health problems. In my free time, I can be found painting, spending time with my dogs, or de-stressing at the gym.

I’d like to thank my family and friends who helped me when I felt overwhelmed. In times of need they reminded me of my goals and made me laugh. I’d also like to thank all my supervisors, mentors, and professors who were constant role models to me. I will definitely take what I have learned here at NAU and support others as I have been supported.

---

Kristen Tallis

Yá’át’ééh, I am Honágháahni “One Who Walks Around” born for Bit’ahnii “Folded Arms People” from Black Mesa, Arizona. I recently completed my Master of Public Health in Indigenous Health.
I would like to acknowledge the programs and individuals that supported my growth as a public health student and researcher. As an undergraduate the Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention program provided me my first experiences in health research and who continues today to provide continued opportunities for professional development and research exposure. As a graduate research assistant, the Center for Health Equity Research introduced me to the theory and practices used to address Indigenous health disparities, as well as providing me the opportunity to develop the skills to mentor the next generation of Indigenous public health professionals through the Summer Research Enhancement Program at Dine College. To Dr. Priscilla Sanderson, Dr. Nicolette Teufel-Shone, Dr. Timothy Behrens, and Dr. Dirk deHeer, who mentored me in the last four years in research and continues to support my goals to work with my tribe.

My family has been greatly supportive and encouraged me every step of the program. They have always been my source of inspiration and security, especially when times were tough. To my classmates, I would like to express my gratitude for their friendship, experiences, and unique talents that made the last two years a great learning experience.

I believe because of the Master of Public Health program and the amazing instructors, I have gained a wealth of experiences and connections that will help me adapt to future challenges and opportunities that I may face. I plan to continue to work at NAU on the Healthy Dine Nation Act Implementation study after graduation.

Bachelor of Science, public health

Jennifer Etcitty

Yá’át’ééh (Hello)! My name is Jennifer Etcitty. I am from the small town of Kirtland, New Mexico, and from the Navajo and Tohono O’odham tribes. I majored in Public Health with a double minor in Applied Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Health Studies and will be graduating this May 2020.

I plan on continuing my public health education with NAU’s Master of Public Health, Health Promotion program, in the Indigenous Health Track. In addition, I hope to continue my work as a research intern with Dr. Heather Williamson (NAU) and Dr. Julie Armin (UA), on their project addressing breast and cervical cancer screenings among Native American women with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. It is my overall aspiration to empower the health and wellbeing of the resilient Indigenous communities through public health efforts. Ahéhee’ (Thank you)!