Campus News

March 17th, 2026

GC grad returns to discuss public health

Holtschneider, WVU senior, talks with students about career options

Amelia Holtschneider, a 2024 Garrett College graduate, returned to GC last Monday to discuss career options in the public health field.

Holtschneider asked her audience – students from GC chemistry, anatomy, and statistics classes – to define public health. The silence was deafening – and not surprising, according to Holtschneider, who said most people aren't sure what the field of public health encompasses.

"Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities," said Holtschneider, a West Virginia University senior who is a student ambassador for the WVU School of Public Health.

"The best way to help people's health is to keep them healthy in the first place. That includes educating people on healthy habits, and policy development that promotes health," said Holtschneider.

Holtschneider provided real-world examples of how policy development can be used as a public health tool.

"Mandating seatbelts in cars was one public policy initiative," she said. "Taxing tobacco was another one – taxing it led to a decrease in tobacco use, which was one of the goals of the tax."

Holtschneider highlighted some of the varied career options available through WVU's two public health degree programs – public health sciences and health services administration. She said public health can serve as a "gateway degree" for students who may not yet know the specific public health-related career they want to pursue. "You kind of dip your toes into everything" as part of the public health curriculum, she said.

Career pathways in public health sciences include epidemiology, environmental health, behavioral health, emergency preparedness, disease prevention, health education, public policy, and health data analysis. Health services administration career options include hospital administration, social and community services management, assisted living administration, quality care management, and healthcare financial management.

Professor Christa Bowser, Garrett College's chief academic officer, said Holtschneider served as a great example of how a student can build upon a Garrett College degree.

"Amelia was an inspiring speaker who provided students with insight into educational opportunities. It really hit home with them because she is a Garrett College graduate," said Bowser. "It was great to have her back here!"

Holtschneider said she was happy to be back at Garrett College, where she enjoyed a very positive experience.

"I loved it," Holtschneider said of her time as a GC student. "It was a good doorway for me. Everything Garrett College taught me prepared me for my next steps."