Peace Corps

Graduate Program: Latin American Studies, MA; Global Health, MPH

Yecenia Andrade, originally from Phoenix, Arizona, holds a bachelor’s degree in public health and Spanish, cum laude, from Wartburg College. Her academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to health equity, cultural humility, and community-based service. Yecenia has contributed to a wide range of public health initiatives both in the U.S. and internationally. Her experience includes facilitating mental health referrals for underserved communities in post-Katrina New Orleans, co-leading the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program at a Denver community center, and addressing sex education stigma within a migrant community in rural Iowa. She has also served as a patient liaison at a behavioral health clinic in Phoenix and, most recently, worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in The Gambia, where she collaborated with local counterparts to promote water security and sanitation, prenatal care, and health literacy. As the daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, Yecenia is passionate about amplifying community voices and designing health interventions that honor the lived experiences of those she serves. As a dual degree seeking student in Global Health and LAS, she is committed to expanding her knowledge and skills to better support marginalized populations. Outside of her academic and professional work, Yecenia enjoys roller skating and exploring new ways to stay active and build community.

Graduate Program: Epidemiology, MPH

Luis is pursuing a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the University of Arizona's Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Physiology from the University of Arizona in 2019. From 2024 to 2026, he served as a Peace Corps Health Volunteer in Rwanda, where he partnered with a rural health center to support maternal and child health, nutrition, vaccination, and community health education initiatives.

During his service, Luis collaborated with local health professionals to fundraise for and construct a community kitchen designed to strengthen nutrition services for vulnerable families. He also worked on improving nutrition screening and referral systems and supported community-based health education efforts.

Outside of public health, Luis enjoys hiking, camping, cycling, traveling, singing, and learning about new languages and cultures. After completing his MPH, he hopes to work in disease surveillance and public health policy design, helping translate epidemiologic evidence into culturally responsive policies that improve population health.

Graduate Program: Epidemiology, MPH 

Berit is originally from Missoula, Montana, where she developed a love for the outdoors. She earned a B.S. in Public Health with a minor in Spanish from Northern Arizona University. After graduation, Berit served as a Youth Health and Well-Being Facilitator with the Peace Corps in Panama, where she lived and worked in an Indigenous Ngöbe community. During her service, she partnered with community members to deliver HIV/AIDS education, established a running club with local kids, a community garden, and supported community-led projects to improve health outcomes. She is now pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Arizona, where she hopes to build on her experience working with underserved communities. In her free time, Berit enjoys running, traveling, rock climbing, and finding new outdoor adventures.

Graduate Program: Health Services Administration, MPH

James served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco ('23–'25) in Youth Development. Working in underserved communities, he designed and implemented educational programs for over 100 students, leading English instruction across all proficiency levels and integrating technology-based learning tools to boost engagement and retention. Before his service, he Played Division 1 basketball at Hampton University and Arizona Western College. James worked as a Human Resources assistant at the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar, where he digitized and maintained hundreds of employee records and coordinated communication between local staff and U.S. personnel. James earned his B.A. in Global Studies from the University of Arizona with a minor in Africana Studies focused on Health & Development and speaks advanced Moroccan Arabic (Darija). His academic and professional path reflects a commitment to health equity and community-based service. 

James is excited to serve the local Tucson community, focusing on health equity and public health administration, with an eye toward a future administrative role in the field. He is completing his MPH and is drawn to work that advances health and gender equity through collaborative, grassroots initiatives. Outside of his academic and professional work, he enjoys basketball as a two-time ACCAC College Player of the Month. Along with staying active and exploring the outdoors of the Southwest, he also works part-time as a native plant surveyor.

Graduate Program: Global Health, MPH

Abigail is pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the University of Arizona’s Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Physiology from University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, Colorado. Abigail served with the Peace Corps as an Early Childhood Literacy Development volunteer in Uganda, East Africa, from 2022-2024. While there, she worked at a rural primary school and collaborated with local counterparts to improve the literacy skills of both the students and teachers. She wrote a grant to construct a new library building after observing the limited access to books and the great enthusiasm of the learners who wanted to read. As a secondary project, she spearheaded a bio-fortified school garden, to bring more nutritious crops to the community and educate the students on a healthy diet. This led Abigail to pursue an MPH in Global Health. She hopes to gain knowledge and skills required to contribute to areas such as malnutrition, food security, and maternal and child health. In her free time, Abigail enjoys hiking mountains, reading, biking, and backpacking.  

Graduate Program: Epidemiology, MPH

Gabrielle Ranger is from Phoenix, Arizona, and is excited to return to her home state to pursue a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the UA. She earned her B.S in Biological Sciences from Arizona State University, and has since built a multidisciplinary background across clinical research, health promotion, and community-based education. In her most recent role, she worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of Utah, supporting research initiatives aimed at improving access to physical therapy via telehealth for rural populations.

Gabrielle is passionate about advancing health equity and expanding access to care through community-engaged and culturally responsive approaches. She previously led bilingual nutrition and wellness interventions in Colorado elementary schools and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia 2022-2023, where she co-developed English and health literacy programming in both classroom and community settings. Across her work, she is particularly interested in addressing health disparities and strengthening equitable care delivery systems. Outside of her professional pursuits, Gabrielle enjoys crocheting, hiking, skiing, and cooking with friends.