Public Health Students Build Confidence in Mock Interview Workshop

By Office of the President | Apr 14, 2026

Another cohort of students enrolled in Communication Skills for Public Health, led by Wendy Williams, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Pedagogical Advancement and Evaluation in the School of Public Health, stepped into the Communications & Marketing production studio for a hands-on mock interview workshop designed to strengthen one of the most critical skills in public health—clear, confident communication.

The workshop challenges students to translate their academic training, field experience, and personal motivation into compelling, on-camera narratives. Students participated in simulated interviews, gaining real-time feedback on delivery, clarity, and presence—skills essential for engaging diverse audiences, from patients and communities to policymakers and the media.

The exercise reinforces a key principle in public health practice: expertise must be matched by effective communication. Through experiences like this, Downstate students continue to develop the skills needed to inform, advocate, and lead in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Students arrived prepared and ready to engage. Hilda Awuor, Qadriyyah Hightower, Revee Jones, Amanda Hariprasad, and Modupe Dabiri each demonstrated a strong command of their subject matter while refining how they present their work with confidence and purpose.

Gilbert Nick, Ph.D., PRODiG+ Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Community Health Sciences, served as interviewer, leading engaging conversations that helped students refine their responses and build confidence on camera. The Communications & Marketing team supported the session by providing production coordination to create a professional, real-world interview environment. The workshop reflects ongoing collaboration between academic programs and communications professionals to prepare students for the expectations of modern public health leadership.

The session also highlights the School of Public Health’s commitment to supporting in-person and online learners, ensuring that all students have access to practical, career-focused training that connects classroom learning to real-world application.

A cultural anthropologist by training, Dr. Williams brings a unique perspective to teaching communication, informed by research on how people use technology to navigate complex environments and share information across communities.

Tags: School of Public Health