For sophomore Maxine Burger, the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) program has been a gateway to both professional growth and personal connection. Since committing to the program in Fall 2024, she has quickly immersed herself in public health—forming strong relationships with her professors and turning her passion into meaningful, hands-on community work.
“The program is incredibly interactive, and there are so many opportunities to make a difference—whether it's on a large or small scale,” said Burger. “It really feels like a community, and the support system here is amazing.”
One of her first real-world experiences came through the Fundamentals of Public Health course, taught by Behavioral and Community Health Sciences Assistant Professor Grace Drnach-Bonaventura, EdD. As part of a “Hack-A-Thon” project, Burger and her classmates were challenged to develop a creative intervention to address a specific public health issue.
“Our theme was mental health, and I thought, ‘why not do puppy yoga?’ It was finals season, and it felt like the perfect way for students to relieve stress,” said Burger.
After presenting their idea, the group caught the attention of judge and Beth Hoffman, assistant professor of behavioral and community health sciences, who connected them with the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh and helped with the planning of the event—guiding them as they brought concept to life.
On April 6, Burger and her teammates, Suja Sudhakar and Myriam Randiga, partnered with the shelter to host a sold-out puppy yoga session. The event drew 30 attendees and raised $700, exceeding the team’s expectations. Five adoptable puppies playfully interacted with the attendees, scampering around the yoga mats and bringing literal meaning to ‘downward facing dog.’
Now, the group is already in discussions about hosting future sessions.
“This is the best school for doing anything with the community,” said Burger. “The professors are incredibly supportive when it comes to building your network and making meaningful connections.”
-Jackie Hathaway