Public Health Cohort Graduates become first graduate students to earn a master’s from UAU in a field other than physician assistant studies
Union Adventist University News – Lincoln, Nebraska … Among the 90 students to earn degrees from Union Adventist University (UAU) in Lincoln, Nebraska, in May were two history makers: Ingrid Papalii and Joshua Reyes-Meiring. They both completed master’s degrees in public health, becoming the first graduate students to earn a master’s from the university in a field other than physician assistant studies.
Both Papalii and Reyes-Meiring have previously graduated from Union’s International Rescue and Relief Program. As graduate students, they have continued to deploy with Union’s Disaster Response Team and have also worked proactively in Lincoln establishing community gardens to address food insecurity.
“We have awesome instructors and a director who are willing to connect us with organizations we want to work with,” Papalii said. “I’m still learning, and I’m not sure where God will take me, but what I do know is that I’d like to assist in the empowerment of vulnerable communities, developing countries and developing work, and the advancement of public health.”
A broader focus
“This degree is for people who enjoy the idea of impacting the communities they serve,” said Reyes-Meiring. “It has a broader focus than just one patient and allows the full impact of providers to be seen throughout their work. It’s perfect for the problem solvers who wish to prevent incidents from occurring instead of picking up the pieces afterward. I can’t wait to see how this program grows.”
—Union Adventist University News. Republished with permission from OUTLOOK Magazine News July 8, 2025, article. Photo supplied.
