USCA public health students earn awards with attention-grabbing infographics

Despite being less than two years old, the public health program at USCA is already proving its strength through the accomplishments of its students.  

Their recent recognition by the South Carolina Environmental Public Health Tracking Program (SC Tracking), underscores just how quickly the university has become competitive with more established programs across the state.  

USCA students in Dr. Della Sirizi’s public health classes were recognized by the SC Tracking team for their efforts to highlight issues facing South Carolinians and how to mitigate unhealthy impacts. SC Tracking, part of the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) holds a collegiate competition, known as the Data Dash, which challenges public health students across the state to highlight health conditions and interventions through engaging infographics.  

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the creativity and innovation students bring to their work,” said Emmanuelle Durant, education and outreach coordinator for the SC Tracking grant. 

“The competition gives them hands-on experience using SC Tracking dashboards while fostering friendly competition among classmates and across institutions.” 

USCA public health students Jeasmine Blyther, Tiffani Rowe, and Valerie Ruvalcaba entered the competition, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding, life expectancy as a key indicator of population health, and Lyme disease, respectively. 

“I was heavily inspired by the classes I am currently taking while I was creating my work. I took in consideration everything I have learned in my community health, health communication and medical sociology courses while developing my infographic,” said Blyther, USCA ’26. 

“Every fact and advice about audience engagement, presenting health information, and understanding the audience's needs really drove my motivation because I was able to apply all that I have learned. I am so happy to be able to use my public health degree for good.” 

SC Tracking declared USCA the Spring 2026 “champion,” thanks to Blyther’s submission, titled “Every Ounce Counts” The design educates new mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding.  

“This infographic stood out immediately. The color palette was nice and fresh, and I really liked the title. I also like the flow of information and the graphics that were used,” said Deanna Foster, an epidemiologist with SCDPH who judged the entries.  

“Within the first few seconds of looking at the infographic, I could grasp the topic, purpose, and target audience. This is what good infographics do; they immediately capture your attention and make the reader want to read more.”  

Rowe and Ruvalcaba also received accolades for their original work    

“Over the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of watching this competition grow, and I’m truly impressed by the progress students have made. It’s especially meaningful when faculty incorporate the Data Dash into their coursework,” said Durant.  

“With USC Aiken’s public health program still in its early stages, it’s clear that not only does Dr. Sirizi do an amazing job with her students, but her students take great pride in their work, and the first-place winner should be exceptionally proud of her outstanding achievement.”  

A Bachelor of Science in Public Health from USCA is designed for students interested in health-related areas of study but not focused on clinical careers such as nursing or medicine. The overall intent is to create more public health and wellness professionals, which continue to be in great demand both in the state and nationally.  

The curriculum focuses on public health principles, practices, and policies. From understanding the determinants of health and disease to promoting health equity, students engage in interdisciplinary coursework that spans environmental health, health behavior, and more. With a focus on real-world applications and experiential learning opportunities, graduates emerge equipped to address pressing public health challenges, promote wellness, and improve the quality of life for individuals and populations alike.  

“One of the most important facets of public health is health literacy. A public health intervention cannot be effective if your messaging is not understood or well received,” said Foster.  

“The Data Dash competition is a great opportunity for the students to learn how to interpret and visualize data to promote their message and effectively connect with their target audience.”  

USCA’s public health program focuses on community health, environmental health, issues and trends in health care, disease prevention and control, and health care and public health policy.   

“The program is well suited for students pursuing pre‑health pathways, those interested in making a meaningful impact on community health, students drawn to the intersection of public health and environmental health, and those considering graduate study in applied health sciences or research,” said Sirizi an assistant professor of public health. 

The initial cohort began coursework in fall 2024. 

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