Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health Celebrates Fifth Graduating Class

Established in 2019, the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego was founded to build upon the university’s strong foundation in research and its long-standing commitment to public health and preventive medicine. The school launched its first academic year in fall 2020, making this the school’s fifth commencement and its largest graduating class to date, with 333 students earning their degrees. 

“Public health is not just a profession. It is an act of love. It is love in the form of policy, prevention, research, education and action. It is love for people you will never meet. And for community stories that you will tell more truthfully,” said Cheryl A.M. Anderson, Ph.D., M.P.H, professor, founding dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and inaugural Hood Family Endowed Dean’s Chair in Public Health.

“Love is what grounds us when data become overwhelming, when inequities feel entrenched, and when the wins come slower than we would like. As you do this work don’t forget that behind every statistic is a human being, a family, a neighborhood, a community.”

By transcending the traditional academic boundaries, the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health connects innovative education, leading research and community expertise to tackle public health challenges through impactful projects and hands-on learning experiences. This year’s graduating class represents five educational degree programs: Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Biostatistics, Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics and the Joint Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health. 

“There will be days when the world feels too heavy — when it feels like the system is too broken or the change is too slow. But in those moments, remember that your presence is proof, that we are the change we’ve been waiting for. Because we are not just graduates, we are advocates, educators, problem-solvers, and future leaders with a shared hope for something better,” said undergraduate student speaker Lindsey Jules Ruiz-Estacio, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Medicine Sciences.

“And as we stand here today, we are honoring every person who made this moment possible. We’re showing every person — no matter where they come from or what barriers they’ve faced — that they belong in these spaces too. So as we move forward — into clinics, classrooms, advocacy, or something still unknown, remember, that this was the whole point.”

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health offers seven concentrations: General Public Health, Biostatistics, Climate and Environmental Sciences, Community Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management Sciences, and Medicine Sciences. Originally designed for 500 students, the program enrolled 822 students in the 24-25 academic year, making it one of the fastest growing and most diverse majors at UC San Diego. It is the only undergraduate degree offered within Health Sciences — all other programs are at the graduate level — and has the highest proportion of first-generation college students on campus. This reflects the school’s mission to serve and represent the communities that public health professionals aim to uplift. In 2025, the program celebrated 260 students who earned their degrees but it also marked a five-year total of 1,000+ Bachelor of Science graduates.

“Each one of us came to this program for different reasons. Some of us were seeking a new beginning. Others wanted to deepen their knowledge, shift careers, or serve their communities more effectively. But no matter our path, we all shared one thing: the desire to build something better — for ourselves, for our families and for the world around us,” said graduate student speaker Naomi Rose Eisner Guy, who earned a Master in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy. 

“This was our ‘why.’ My ‘why’ was to see the future of public health continue. That’s what carried me through — our hope for a better tomorrow, even when the present feels so uncertain."

The Master in Public Health (MPH) offers six concentrations: Epidemiology, General Public Health, Health Behavior, Health Policy, Public Mental Health, and Technology and Precision Health. While some students pursue nontraditional concentrations, the General Public Health track was specifically designed in response to requests from the School of Medicine for a flexible, one-year MPH option tailored to the needs of medical students, residents, fellows and other health professionals. In 2025, the MPH program enrolled 75 students, 31 earning their degrees.

Graduates of the Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in Biostatistics are securing top-tier jobs in academia and industry. These degrees provide deep expertise in the principles, theories and applications of statistical science, particularly as they relate to medicine, epidemiology, public health and beyond. The PhD program emphasizes a blend of rigorous coursework and experiential learning, with a strong commitment to student support throughout the academic journey. In 2025, the programs enrolled 58 MS and 25 PhD students, with 20 MS and 6 PhD graduates.

Another program with strong real-world impact is the UC San Diego—San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health which offers three tracks: Epidemiology, Health Behavior, and Global Health. Increasingly, graduates are pursuing and securing roles outside of academia. While many still enter academic positions and some join federal or state agencies, there has been a notable rise in graduates entering industry roles. In 2025, the program enrolled 73 students, with 16 earning their doctorates.

Commencement speaker Tomás Aragón, M.D., Dr.P.H., led a 25-year career in governmental public health and medicine. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as the State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health, leading the state’s public health response until his retirement in January 2025.

“We are Team Public Health. In fulfilling our purpose to protect and improve health for all, our job is to become learning, healing, and impactful individuals, teams and organizations,” said Aragón. “To the Class of 2025, congratulations. Go forth and be learning, healing and impactful public health leaders.”