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Heather Wingo, a student in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health’s Doctor of Public Health in Public Health Leadership Program, earned an Oaklawn Foundation scholarship.
| Heather Wingo is grateful to the Oaklawn Foundation Scholarship Fund for recently awarding her a $3,000 scholarship.
Wingo is a student in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health’s Doctor of Public Health (Dr.PH.) in Public Health Leadership program. She received encouragement to pursue the degree due to a mentor who previously completed, and spoke highly of, the program.
After researching the Dr.PH. degree, she realized that she needed to follow her mentor’s advice and enroll in the program.
“I work in the field of public health,” Wingo said, referring to her job at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. “Public health is what I do with the U of A Division of Agriculture. Reading about the Dr.PH., program, it just made sense to get the degree.”
A resident of Garland County, Wingo recognizes and respects the Oaklawn Foundation’s impact — especially when it comes to supporting education.
“Any college degree is an investment,” she said. “It can be a hefty investment, too. Despite working full time, I still have bills to pay. The scholarship helps with that.
“I also saw this as an opportunity to bring attention to the Dr.PH., program,” she added. “I figured that even if I didn’t get a scholarship, at least the Oaklawn Foundation would know that the college’s Dr.PH., program exists.”
Wingo said she was elated to learn she received the scholarship. “I was so excited,” she said. “I literally shouted for joy.”
Wingo stated that receiving the funds is also a source of motivation.
“Knowing that I have this scholarship, provides a sense of investment and commitment to the upcoming semesters,” she said. “I am making a conscious effort to prioritize my education.”
Wingo, who earned a master’s degree in human and environmental sciences from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, aspires to become a more well-rounded public health professional.
“I want to learn more about leadership in public health and grant writing,” she said. “With my current job, we do a lot of grant writing. I also want to focus on disparities in Arkansas. This state has a lot of public health challenges. Growing up in Arkansas, that’s something that lies heavy on my heart. I’m passionate about public health in Arkansas. I want to give back to the people of my state.”
Wingo is a student in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health’s Doctor of Public Health (Dr.PH.) in Public Health Leadership program. She received encouragement to pursue the degree due to a mentor who previously completed, and spoke highly of, the program.
After researching the Dr.PH. degree, she realized that she needed to follow her mentor’s advice and enroll in the program.
“I work in the field of public health,” Wingo said, referring to her job at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. “Public health is what I do with the U of A Division of Agriculture. Reading about the Dr.PH., program, it just made sense to get the degree.”
A resident of Garland County, Wingo recognizes and respects the Oaklawn Foundation’s impact — especially when it comes to supporting education.
“Any college degree is an investment,” she said. “It can be a hefty investment, too. Despite working full time, I still have bills to pay. The scholarship helps with that.
“I also saw this as an opportunity to bring attention to the Dr.PH., program,” she added. “I figured that even if I didn’t get a scholarship, at least the Oaklawn Foundation would know that the college’s Dr.PH., program exists.”
Wingo said she was elated to learn she received the scholarship. “I was so excited,” she said. “I literally shouted for joy.”
Wingo stated that receiving the funds is also a source of motivation.
“Knowing that I have this scholarship, provides a sense of investment and commitment to the upcoming semesters,” she said. “I am making a conscious effort to prioritize my education.”
Wingo, who earned a master’s degree in human and environmental sciences from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, aspires to become a more well-rounded public health professional.
“I want to learn more about leadership in public health and grant writing,” she said. “With my current job, we do a lot of grant writing. I also want to focus on disparities in Arkansas. This state has a lot of public health challenges. Growing up in Arkansas, that’s something that lies heavy on my heart. I’m passionate about public health in Arkansas. I want to give back to the people of my state.”
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