Global Health Minor recognized with Outstanding Program Award

The Penn State Global Health Minor, offered by the Department of Biobehavioral Health, has received the Outstanding Program Award from Penn State Global as part of the 2023-24 Advancing a Global Penn State Awards.

The Outstanding Program Award recognizes an innovative program at the University that has advanced the vision of a Global Penn State. The award focuses on the program’s ability to be agile and adaptable, yet robust enough to be innovative and forward thinking.

The Global Health Minor develops critical thinking skills across a variety of areas, including global, political, historical, and theoretical understandings of health, socioeconomic, educational, and other outcomes faced by diverse world populations.

Students complete coursework and a capstone international fieldwork experience. They are then well positioned to pursue careers in domestic and international organizations as physicians, nurses, policy and public health experts, educators, and researchers.

“I believe that students who apply to and complete the program do so because they are propelled by a curiosity, a desire, a commitment to learn about cultures and populations outside of that of their own family heritage, community, or country,” said Dana Naughton, director of the Global Health Minor and associate teaching professor of biobehavioral health.

“As director of this program that serves undergraduate students across multiple departments and colleges, I am deeply appreciative of the support and opportunities made possible by the Department of Biobehavioral Health.”

Joe Gyekis, associate teaching professor of biobehavioral health, is a faculty leader for the minor’s summer fieldwork experiences and teaches many of the required courses for the program.

“The alumni and students of the Global Health Minor represent Penn State’s commitment to fostering global citizenship and engagement,” he said. “These students go on to graduate programs and employment opportunities in which cooperation, engagement, and cross-cultural competencies and understanding are developed and prioritized. All these values are introduced and encouraged by the Global Health Minor.

Recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony at the Hintz Alumni Center on March 21.

Learn more about the Global Health Minor and contact Dana Naughton for more information. Read more about the Penn State Global Advancing A Global Penn State Awards.

Originally published March 2024.