University Health Services – UW-Madison

Internship Location: Madison WI

Organization Type: State Government

Policy Areas: Health

At UHS, I had the opportunity to serve my fellow Badger community by aligning my work with their mission to “promote, protect, and restore the health and wellbeing of UW-Madison students.” In the UHS Marketing and Health Communication Department, my role involved developing communication plans, creating engaging social media content, and focusing on policy initiatives. One of my primary responsibilities was mobilizing the grant provided by Truth Initiative to help create a 100% smoke-free campus at UW-Madison. I conducted an audit with our expanded Big Ten partners, analyzing the policies and implementation processes each university followed to enforce a tobacco-free or smoke-free campus. I collaborated with UHS prevention staff and Nicotine-Free student ambassadors on events to promote our perception survey. I also created social media content that aligned with our key messages, emphasizing the environmental, mental, and physical health benefits of a tobacco-free campus. The response to our initiative from students was overwhelmingly supportive and sparked meaningful dialogue about the policy. Connecting with students allowed me to understand the impact that policies can have on people, whether positive or negative, and it encouraged me to keep an open mind when promoting communication materials on the topic of tobacco. Overall, my work at UHS deepened my interest in pursuing a Master’s in Public Health and Public Policy. I am grateful for the collaborative environment and the opportunity to contribute to creating a campus that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of my fellow Badgers.