WED-006 - From Classrooms to Communities: Empowering Future Public Health Professionals Through Certification and Training

Nikki Hillier - Associate Professor (she/her/hers), Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University

Brief Abstract Summary: Discover strategies for integrating public health certifications and trainings into coursework, equipping students with practical skills for future careers. Explore free or low-cost opportunities for professional development and learn how to effectively use multiple modalities and timelines. Gain insights on designing assignments that encourage reflection, application, and retention of knowledge. Learn how seasoned professionals can mentor and train the next generation, fostering career development and preparing students for critical public health roles. Walk away with actionable tools to enhance student learning and prepare the next generation of public health practitioners.

Detailed abstract description: Attend this session to gain practical insights into how you can enhance your courses and prepare students for public health roles by incorporating essential trainings and certifications. Our course, Health Citizenship, a general education offering, has been redesigned to include a wide range of certifications and trainings, such as Emotional Intelligence, Wellness Ambassador/Peer Education, Bystander Intervention, Mental Health First Aid, and Civilian Active Shooter Events trainings. We will also discuss our Disasters course, which requires students to complete NIMS and FEMA certifications, ensuring they have the practical knowledge to respond to crises. Attendees will discover how to implement similar certifications in courses, equipping students with the skills and credentials that align with the demands of the modern public health workforce; design courses that blend certifications with academic learning, ensuring students leave with both knowledge and applicable skills; incorporate reflection and knowledge-retention assignments that deepen student engagement and understanding, adapt trainings to fit various modalities (asynchronous, synchronous, online), offering flexible learning opportunities for diverse student needs. This session will provide strategies to help you incorporate free or affordable certifications into your curriculum, building a strong foundation for future public health professionals. You’ll leave with new ideas for supporting your students' professional development, contributing to their readiness for critical public health roles.