Dec. 15, 2025
With our commencement ceremonies set for Friday, Dec. 19, we’re highlighting a few of the incredible students who will soon be alumni of the College of Health Sciences.
Read on to learn more about Chelsea Rodriguez of San Antonio, Texas, who is completing a Master of Public Health.
Chelsea Rodriguez
Degree: Master of Public Health
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Favorite quote:
“I raise my voice, not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
— Malala Yousafzai
An interesting fact about you (that people might not know):
I have been dog sledding through the Canadian Rockies to the Great Continental Divide in Alberta, Canada.
What does graduating from the Mizzou College of Health Sciences mean to you?
Graduating from the Mizzou College of Health Sciences is a truly full-circle moment for me and one that I am extremely proud of. I applied and was accepted to Mizzou in my senior year of high school but ultimately decided to join the Army instead. After eight years and three deployments, my time in the military came to an end, and when I decided to start college, I knew that Mizzou was the only option for me.
Although starting college at 26 felt daunting at first, the professors here at Mizzou provided so much support and encouragement from day one that I knew as long as I did my part, there was no way I wouldn’t be successful. I graduated magna cum laude with my Bachelor of Health Science in Public Health from Mizzou in December 2023, and I anticipate graduating summa cum laude with my Master of Public Health and Master of Public Affairs this month.
After more than a decade since my initial acceptance, I couldn’t be prouder to be a Tiger and Mizzou Made.
What was one of your favorite classes within your degree track?
One of my favorite classes within my degree track has been Human Health and the Environment. I appreciated how it explored real-world environmental threats such as contamination, zoonotic diseases, and food and water quality, and connected them directly to public health outcomes. The course integrated scientific foundations with practical public health applications, which will be deeply relevant and valuable in my future career in public health.
What activities have you been involved in along the way?
I have been fortunate enough to be a part of Delta Omega, the Honorary Society in Public Health, during my time in the MPH program.
Who helped you during your college journey?
My biggest supporter during my college journey has been my wife, Jacqueline. Her constant encouragement grounded me during moments of uncertainty, and her confidence in my abilities often exceeded my own. Whether it was offering a listening ear after long study days, celebrating small victories, or reminding me why my work matters, she was (and still is) a constant source of steadiness and motivation.
Balancing graduate school, work, a growing family and life in general is demanding, but her partnership made it possible. I’m deeply grateful for her unwavering support, and I credit much of my success to the strength, patience and love she has shown me along the way.
I am also deeply grateful to my professors — specifically Dr. Jenna Wintemberg, Dr. Molly Vetter Dreier, Dr. Sonita Simelus and Dr. Tyler Myroniuk — and my amazing academic advisor, Graham Greer, who went above and beyond to help ensure my success during my time here at Mizzou. Your guidance, high expectations and genuine investment in my growth pushed me to think critically, work harder and strengthen my public health skills. Thank you all for your mentorship, your patience and the time you poured into helping me succeed. Your impact will stay with me long after graduation.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to continue my current work, which has become incredibly meaningful to me — staying with Rutgers University and the Department of Veterans Affairs to support research and initiatives that directly impact veterans’ health.
As a veteran myself, this work hits close to home. I’ve seen firsthand the gaps and challenges many service members face, and I’m committed to helping improve the systems that so many of us rely on. My hope is that remaining in my current role will allow me to use both my MPH and MPA in a way that feels impactful and personal and strengthens the care veterans receive, including people I have served alongside. It’s work that I believe in deeply, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to keep moving it forward.
What advice do you have for current and future students?
My advice to current and future students is this: Give yourself permission to grow. You’re not supposed to know everything on day one. The whole point of school is to evolve. Let yourself ask the questions, make mistakes and learn the lessons that will shape you into the person you came here to be.
Don’t do this alone. Lean on the people around you — classmates, mentors, professors, family or friends. You’ll be amazed at how much softer the hard days feel when you have others supporting and cheering you on and how much richer the good days become when you share them with people who understand the journey.
Celebrate everything, even the small wins — turning in a draft, asking a difficult question in class, getting through a tough reading or just surviving a week that felt impossible. Not every success comes with a certificate; some are quiet moments of resilience that you should be proud of.
Last but definitely not least, be proud of yourself now. Not just when you walk across the stage or when final grades are posted — be proud of the version of you who is doing the work today. The one who shows up tired but still shows up. The one who keeps going even when life outside of school is demanding, uncertain or heavy.
It’s easy to wait for the big, shiny milestones to validate your progress, but the real accomplishment is happening in the quiet, unglamorous moments — the late nights, the early mornings, the tough conversations, the rewrites and sometimes the self-doubt you push through. Give yourself credit for all of it. Pride isn’t something you earn just at the end; it’s something you deserve throughout the journey.