Meet Jessica Hughes, MPH '20

Jessica Hughes graduated with her master in public health degree in 2020, concentrating in policy and advocacy.

What was the best part of your time at Jefferson?
I made two amazing lifelong friends at Jefferson who share the same desire to make the world a better place. Shout out to LJ & Timmy!

How did Jefferson prepare you for your career?
I was in the fortunate position to work in public health while getting my MPH. Having these dual experiences enhanced my education and allowed me to apply what I was learning immediately to the working world. While exhausting, by both working and going to school, I proved to myself that I can keep going even when I felt like stopping. That has been a valuable lesson in my current position.

What are you doing now?
I was recently hired as the chief executive officer of a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike in Erie, Pa. We specialize in refugee and immigrant health care. I made it an immediate priority to partner with local MPH programs because I know that public health professionals have so much to offer the populations we serve.

What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you? 
True story: I discovered public health after Googling, “What am I doing with my life?” You might say that 23-year-old me was a bit dramatic.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to our current students?
When you feel like you can’t keep your head above water, get a longer snorkel.