By UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Celina Cooper
- Bruce, Wis.
- Bachelor of science in environmental public health
- What's next: Obtaining her Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian certification, then finding employment with a local health department
 |
UW-Eau Claire photo by Rick Mickelson |
Celina Cooper sees her graduation from UW-Eau Claire as the result of a group effort.
Not that she hasn't had a lot to do with her own success: She's been solely responsible for funding her college education, working 25-30 hours a week for four years while maintaining a 3.5 grade-point average. Her efforts in the classroom also resulted in several scholarships.
But Cooper, who is the first in her family to receive a college degree, doesn't give herself all the credit for the fact that she'll walk across the Zorn Arena stage during UW-Eau Claire's May commencement ceremony.
Her parents always told her she could do whatever she set out to do, including going to college, Cooper said. It wasn't until she grew a bit older that she realized what a financial challenge that would be for her family.
"My parents may not have been able to pay for my schooling, but they have given me all of the tools that I needed to succeed: support, encouragement and a work ethic second to none," she said. "Without my parents, I could never have done this, and I see my degree as much their success as it is mine."
Cooper, who started her college career as an engineering major at another university but decided that field wasn't a good fit for her, found UW-Eau Claire's environmental public health program "almost by accident" when exploring environmental science programs. She toured UW-Eau Claire and met with faculty members, deciding the environmental public health program was what she wanted to pursue.
"I learned that the ENPH program was much more practically based with a greater focus on human health than comparable environmental science programs," she said. "It was then that I realized that the handwriting had been on the wall the whole time: The interest I had taken in mathematics, food safety, infectious diseases, the functioning of the human body and environmental contaminants could all be rolled into one perfect degree. I can honestly say that the ENPH program has surpassed my expectations and ignited a passion for public health."
More on Celina Cooper
Future plans: I plan to obtain my national Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian certification upon graduation. With this, I hope to work with a local health department as a sanitarian doing restaurant, body art, campground, recreational/ educational camp, hotel/motel, and swimming pool/whirlpool facility inspections. Also included may be home health inspections, infectious disease monitoring and water-testing programs, among others. I look forward to applying and sharing my knowledge to make a community a healthier place. If all goes well, I will be moving to my hometown of Ladysmith, Wis., to start a brand new environmental health program! Long term, I hope to stay in northern Wisconsin and perhaps pursue a master’s degree in public health.
Unique aspects of her time at UW-Eau Claire: I love that the ENPH program is so focused on real-life, hands on experience. Demonstrations, field trips and lab work have been part of every class to give me a true understanding of all aspects surrounding the issues that impact public health. I was always amazed how my real-life experiences as an EMT-basic, a fast-food worker and an aquatic invasive species educator can relate so directly to a public health career. All of the students come from different backgrounds and share even more insight from their unique experiences during class discussions, making for an exceptional educational experience.
Highlights of her life at UW-Eau Claire: The hands-on experience really culminated in my three-month-long practicum with the Ashland County Health Department, which was easily the highlight of my college career. Real on-the-job work experience has benefited me in so many ways, both personally and professionally. I learned how to interact with all different types of people, work independently and maintain positive relationships with regulated establishments. My mentor, UW-Eau Claire ENPH alumnus Ken Tuckwell, took me under his wing and was truly committed to making my internship a positive learning experience. His continued support and encouragement even after my internship ended has allowed me to network within the field and make a name for myself in the job market.
Other highlights include the relationships that I have built with some of the faculty. The professors at this university truly are amazing. Often much credit for changing a life and educational path goes to high school teachers, but there are some amazing professors here at UW-Eau Claire that have shaped my educational path in such a wonderful way. When I took my required elementary statistics class, I had no interest in statistics. However, my professor, Jessica Kraker, caught my attention and got me excited about what statistics can do, especially in the field of public health. Since then, I have taken two more classes with Jessica and learned so many things that I can apply to future endeavors. She is a great professor who teaches something that could be incredibly boring in a way that is exciting and motivating. Dr. Chris Gabel in the ENPH department also was an amazing mentor, offering personal and professional advice for my job search and encouraging the pursuit of other interests, such as my math minor and attending conferences to broaden my perspective. She always makes the time for students and considers their success her top priority. Professors this dedicated can be hard to find, and I was lucky enough to have two of them.
What she liked most about her UW-Eau Claire experience: There are so many recreational activities in the area to take advantage of. Although some would argue that recreation is irrelevant, I disagree. It’s all about the college experience, and it has certainly been a great one! Lazy days floating on the Chippewa, live music on Water Street or at local festivals, fishing in Half Moon Lake, disc golfing on campus and at Mt. Simon, and running and biking along the Chippewa River trail are totally unique to the Eau Claire area and will always be part of my amazing college experience.
Proudest college accomplishments: There have certainly been obstacles along my path to being the first person in my family to receive a degree, the biggest of which has been funding my own tuition. I have worked part time all four years of college to finance my education and living costs where loans and scholarships just weren’t enough. Working 25-30 hours per week and maintaining a GPA of 3.5 was never easy, but I did what was necessary and am proud of my hard work. I could never have done it without the generosity of the Wisconsin Environmental Health Association, J.J. Keller & Associates, the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, the family of John and Mary Lou Gerberich, the UW-Eau Claire Foundation and state of Wisconsin, all of whom provided me with much appreciated scholarships.
Advice for incoming students: These are the best years of your life! Pursue your interests, even if they’re not related to your field of study. On campus and around Eau Claire, there’s something for everyone. Work hard and follow your heart, and never ever pass by an opportunity.
Learn about other featured May 2009 graduates
