Service Cord
Committed to Service? Earn the GPPH Service Cord!
Opportunity Type: Public Health, Service Opportunities
Announcing the Service Cord for GPPH Students!
Service – it’s a word that means different things to different people. As public health professionals, we think of service opportunities as activities done outside of our regular work or program of study that allow us to use our passion and expertise to help make our professions, communities, and ultimately, our world a better place.
Service is giving back to our profession and to our community, not for financial gain, but with the only expectation being improvements in health outcomes in our communities. Whether you are an established public health professional gaining your advanced degree, or new to the field of public health, you should be mindful of the many benefits of performing service.
Why is service important?
Performing service provides opportunities for you to meet and learn about people and organizations with similar interest. It provides opportunities for you to expand your network; opportunities to put your knowledge into practice by allowing you to gain an understanding of the contexts in which public health work is performed outside of an academic setting, and allows you to continue to learn new skills and contribute to the advancement of your field.
Are you committed to giving back to your community?
Have you dedicated time to serving your community while being a public health student? The Graduate Programs in Public Health (GPPH) would like to recognize your contribution to your community and your profession by presenting you with a ‘Service’ cord to be worn at graduation.
Introducing the GPPH Service Cord
All GPPH students who have completed a minimum of 100 hours of service while enrolled in their program can earn a Service cord! Are you close to completing your program? You can still earn the Service cord! You have the duration of your course of study to earn the Service cord. Just provide documentation of the hours of service completed while being in your program.
How to earn your Service Cord – The Official Process
- Student is informed of the option to earn a Service cord during onboarding and by academic advisors
- Student maintains a Service Activity Log* containing the following information:
- Date of service activity
- Name of organization
- Primary contact at the organization
- Contact information for primary contact
- Location of organization (city and state or country)
- A brief summary of work done
- Program sends a form to students to gather information on their service activities in February of the year of graduation
- Student uses information in Service Activity Log to complete the form
- Student submits completed form
- Program uses information to determine eligibility for Service cord
- Program verifies activities
- Program sends the decision to qualifying students in April
- Service cord given at Hooding ceremony or on graduation day
* The Service Activity Log can be in any style convenient to you as long as the required information is recorded.
How do you find service opportunities near you?
Need help finding service or volunteer opportunities in your area? Click here for opportunities listed in the Student Success Portal!
Have questions? Contact Kristina Stewart, Assistant Director for Public Health Practice; kstewart19@une.edu
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Assistant Director, Research and Service
Carol J. Ewan Whyte,
Ph.D., M.Sc.
cewanwhyte@une.edu
(207) 221-4128
Does your organization have a vacancy or internship opportunity? If you do, please send the information to Carol Ewan Whyte, Assistant Director, Research and Service at cewanwhyte@une.edu
