The Public Health Academy (PHA), a student success program jointly administered by the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) Health Education Department and BMCC Learning Academy (BLA), matches student goals with the explosive demand for community and public health professionals in underserved communities throughout New York City. 

Launched in August 2021 with a cohort of 20 students, the PHA links students with the fast-growing public health career sector.  Our nation’s vulnerability and unpreparedness to address public health priorities became apparent in 2020 with the onset of the novel coronavirus. Despite decades-long warnings of a looming pandemic, predictions of public health workforce shortages, and ongoing recognition of health inequities, the U.S. was blindsided by the COVID-19 pandemic.  A well-trained public health workforce is the first line of defense to address current COVID-19 related health inequities and those likely to emerge from future pandemics. 

While graduate school has traditionally been the gold-standard for public health education, to meet the health needs of an increasingly at-risk and culturally diverse population, more students should be trained and training must begin earlier in their academic careers. 

The PHA provides community college students opportunities to gain first-hand experience in the field by working with public health professionals to address long-standing and stark health disparities in real-world contexts, focusing on social determinants of health, health equity, and community-engaged research and practice.   The program begins with a summer bridge program and includes weekly seminars on student success, job readiness, leadership, career preparation, research training, and internship placement.  Students gain experience in developing a research project and delivering oral presentations.  As PHA scholars, Community Health Education and Public Health majors gain valuable health professional skills as well as extensive academic support.