Latest Stead Scholars Gain Awareness of Public Health
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health partnered with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) to sponsor the 2025 Stead Scholars internship.
The initiative gives students and recent graduates of an Arkansas college or university the opportunity to experience public health research and practice. During the internship’s closing ceremony, each intern presents their assigned research project in front of their family, peers and public health professionals.
Named after William Stead, M.D., a former longtime employee at the health department, the eight-week, paid internship launched at ADH in 2012. In 2016, the College of Public Health joined the effort to help host the program.
“As a Stead Scholar, students receive diverse practice in the realms of public health and they partner with faculty mentors on research studies,” said Kevin Ryan, J.D., the College of Public Health’s associate dean for student affairs.
“Students gain an awareness of public health career opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have had,” he said. “Arkansas’ public health field is stronger due to the participation of the scholars.”
The 2025 Stead Scholars were Abigail Wells, Angelica Thomas, Karhiya Woods, Reha Nunna, Brianna Winters, Olivia Norman, Hannah Davison, Emily Berry, Addrienna Gray and Joseph Winningham.
Davison is a biology major at Lyon College. The Jonesboro native applied for the program due to her advisor encouraging her to enroll.
“This was a wonderful experience that introduced me to the vast network of public health,” she said. “I’ve gained a better understanding of what public health is and the positive impact that it has on Arkansas. I’ve also developed a greater grasp on qualitative and quantitative research because of my research project.”
Winters is a student at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she majors in public health. A native of Springfield, Missouri, Winters said the internship provided an opportunity to experience public health through real-world experience.
“Getting to experience the daily ins and outs of working in public health has helped me conceptualize what I want out of a public health career in the future,” she said. “I’ve gained essential professional skills that I’ll carry with me moving forward.
“Being a Stead Scholar has helped me understand that quality learning can take place beyond the classroom. Learning about the health systems in Arkansas is an invaluable experience.”
Berry, a biology major at Lyon College, said she had fun while learning more about public health and research. She appreciated the practical, personal aspects of the program.
“Coming into this internship, I thought it would be the typical research experience,” she said. “But it was very interactive. I enjoyed the meetings we had to attend. I was able to learn a lot about public health.
“I’d tell anybody that they should apply to be a Stead Scholar. I had a great experience. I will always sing its praises.”
Norman recently graduated from Hendrix College, earning a degree in health science. Participating in the discussions and research of the program led to her learning more about public health, and she now desires to find a career in the field.
“I learned a lot,” Norman said. “It was a lot of work. But that’s what I wanted. I preferred to do a lot of work on different things because I’m trying to figure out what career I want to do. So, I not only worked on my project but helped with other projects so I can learn what I enjoy. I liked a lot of it. That makes it hard for me to decide.”
Winningham is a student at Hendrix College, where he majors in philosophy and has a minor in neuroscience. He said his Stead Scholar experience was invaluable as he learned about the impact of public health.
“I got exposed to different professions within public health,” he said. “I met with everyone from educators to people who research diseases. The internship revealed to me the wide range of professions within the public health field.
“The Stead Scholars program, and its curriculum, showed me that public health is something I should follow up on and do as a career.”
Thomas entered the program wanting to expand upon her interest in environmental science and its connection to public health. The University of Central Arkansas environmental science major ultimately realized that public health and science are closely associated. That made for a worthwhile mission, she said.
“This is one of the best summer experiences I’ve had,” Thomas said. “Being able to learn in a space that’s also fun is great. This program was proof that it’s possible to learn and have fun while doing so. Before doing this internship, I didn’t think that was possible.”
The 2025 Stead Scholars take a photo with Kevin Ryan, J.D., faculty in the College of Public Health and one of the instructors for the Stead Scholars program.
Wells is a public administration major at the University of Central Arkansas. A cancer survivor, Wells aspires to solve discrepancies in the health system. Being a Stead Scholar showed her the type of education she’d need to best address the inconsistencies.
“Being a childhood cancer survivor, I’ve witnessed the good and the bad of health care,” she said. “I want to address those things not only from the health care aspect, but also regarding legislation, policy.
“I learned that I can be a health care lawyer. I learned that public health is about the community. There are people in every aspect of public health who are on a mission to address various issues. So, when you complete the Stead Scholars program, you’ll receive great insight on how you can make a great impact on the world.”
Woods, a biology major at Philander Smith University, said she has a more refined outlook of public health due to being a Stead Scholar. She appreciated her research project, which focused on a disease that heavily affects Arkansas.
“I enjoyed learning about syphilis and seeing all the data that has been collected,” she said. “I enjoyed the people I interacted with. It was a great experience that helped me determine my career path. Public health’s impact is widespread. We must be able to assess how different developments impact the health of entire population bases.”
Nunna is a student at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where she majors in biology. She aspires to enter the clinical realm of health care.
“I learned a lot as a Stead Scholar,” she said. “This was an eye-opening experience. The program provides a look into what goes on behind the scenes. There’s a surplus of info you can attain, no matter what health career you’re looking to enter.
“I care about the public’s health beyond the clinical side. There’s value in educating and helping people on a broader level beyond treating someone’s physical issues.”
Gray, a criminal justice major at Ouachita Baptist University, wanted to learn more about public health and its career options.
“I learned that public health is massive and has a wide variety of career options,” she said. “I’m now eager to explore it even more so I can narrow it down to what I aspire to do.
“I received the chance to work with a researcher directly where I learned a lot about conducting research. The Stead Scholars program truly taught me a lot about public health. I loved it.”
Ryan appreciated the enthusiasm and willingness to learn that the class of 2025 Stead Scholars had throughout the internship. The students embody why the program is important and so beneficial to all Arkansans.
“It’s become common for Stead Scholar alums to enroll in the College of Public Health to pursue certificates and degrees,” Ryan said. “Participation in the program directly advances the College of Public Health’s mission to improve the health and promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in Arkansas through education, research and service.”