Our Team

Hillary Nelson, PhD, MPH

Director

As the Director of the MPH program, I have the privilege of supporting an amazing group of students, faculty, and staff all dedicated to providing an amazing public health education. I strongly believe that public health education should be interdisciplinary and interprofessional, and I’m a prime example. I come to public health a bit circuitously, as my first career was as a faculty member in biochemistry and biophysics. I’m a proud alumnae of Penn’s MPH program, and I’ve successfully transitioned from proteins to populations!

Ask Me About: Teaching for the program & Capstone Mentoring

Moriah Hall, MPH

Associate Director

As the Associate Director of the MPH program, I have the pleasure of being involved with all things student! From the moment someone is considering the MPH to when the walk across the stage to graduate, I get to interact with students on their training journey. I provide academic and career advising, ensure students have the chance to take classes that will support their future goals, and serve as a general resource for the program and campus. I stay in touch with our students as they go on to do great things as alumni and colleagues!

My public health background is in sexual health, food access and food justice, and health literacy. I continue to work with nonprofit organizations and will often bring MPH students on to support important projects through fieldwork and capstone opportunities. I teach one of the core courses, PUBH 5060, Methods for Public Health Practice, and one elective, PUBH 5310, Public Health Nutrition. I love dogs, sequins, and delicious food!

Ask Me About: Public Health Training Broadly, MPH program details, Public Health Careers, & any student needs

Nekia Rosado, MPH

Fieldwork & Community Engagement Manager

As the Fieldwork and Community Engagement Manager, I support students students in securing fieldwork placements. This calls for me to build relationships with community partners so that students can secure fieldwork offsite of Penn’s campus. In addition, I support our student’s professional development by co-facilitating the First Fridays career series and support activities lead by our MPH student groups. We have a large alumni network that that are welcome to receive this professional development post-graduation and who I look to in mentoring our current students as well.

My public health practice experience comes from the non profit sector. I have a background in healthy food access, program management, maternal & child health and care coordination. It’s really fulfilling to support the students today in becoming the public health leaders of tomorrow.

Ask Me About: Fieldwork, Community Partners, & Alumni Engagement

Anita Stief, MPH, RD, LDN

MPH Education Coordinator

As the Master of Public Health Education Coordinator, I assist with programmatic and administrative oversight of the CEPH-accredited MPH program. In this role, I also work collaboratively with students to create an individualized graduate experience tailored to their public health interests and passions. The public health field has so much to offer, and I love being able to explore this with students.

As a Registered Dietitian and public health practitioner, my experiences in the non-profit sector include providing community nutrition education, implementing policy, systems, and environmental change interventions, and advocating for healthier communities. I am grateful to be a part of a program that thoughtfully prepares students to work alongside communities to address disparities through a health equity lens.

Ask Me About: Academic Advising, Public Health Careers

Nick Van Meter

Program Coordinator

As Program Coordinator, I work directly with students to support them from admission to graduation. For prospective students, I answer or triage questions, run Admission Cycle logistics, and matriculate students committing to the program. For current students, I maintain student records in Penn systems, support course records and class scheduling, and communicate about registration, events, and opportunities. One of the best parts of my role is seeing and supporting students’ trajectory throughout the program, as they eventually craft the next steps of their public health careers.

In 2021, I served as the Musical Director for Springfield Township High School’s production of “The Theory of Relativity.” Previously, I interned with judicial clerks under the Hon. Judge R. Barclay Surrick in the EdPA Federal District Court and worked as a digital media intern on Katie McGinty’s 2016 Campaign for US Senate. I love traveling, Beyoncé, and new restaurants!

Ask Me About: Admission, Registration, Billing, & Penn systems

Maja King

Administrative Coordinator

As the Administrative Coordinator, I work with the team on planning events, coordinating with faculty, recordkeeping and more. You’ll often hear from me regarding some institutes and capstones! I received my Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Temple University. Before coming into this position, I worked as a Public Health Ambassador here at University of Penn and a Temporary Coordinator for Teach For America – The Collective. I am so grateful to be apart of such an amazing team and program! Hope to see you around!

Ask Me About: Institutes, Events, & Faculty Support