In a notable achievement for UTMB's School of Public and Population Health (SPPH), two exceptional students—Faith Adjei-Sarpong and Alexandra (Alex) Holland—have been selected for the highly competitive Graduate Archer Fellowship Program, joining a cohort of talented future leaders from across The University of Texas System.
About the Archer Fellowship
Established in 2010 by The University of Texas System, the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program enables graduate and medical students with interests in policy and public service to experience the nation's capital firsthand. Fellows spend the summer living, learning, and working in Washington, D.C., gaining invaluable insights into federal government operations and public service.
During their fellowship, students complete rigorous coursework focused on the federal policy process, participate in policy working groups, and intern full-time with organizations aligned with their professional and academic goals. The prestigious program selects participants through a highly competitive process, offering this transformative experience to motivated students from across the UT System.
Meet Our Fellows
Faith Adjei-Sarpong
Faith Adjei-Sarpong, who is graduating this month from SPPH with her MPH, brings impressive credentials to the fellowship. An accomplished advocate for sickle cell disease awareness and health equity, Faith has been recognized by the Biden-Harris Administration and received the 2024 Digital Sickle Cell Advocate of the Year award. She serves as Co-Chair of the SPPH Student Association and holds leadership positions in numerous campus organizations, including the UTMB Student Government Association.
"I'm really interested in learning more about how health research is funded, especially with the current situation where funding for research has been cut," Faith explained about her interest in the fellowship. "As someone who has worked directly with sickle cell advocacy and policy, this experience will be invaluable in helping me understand how I can be more effective in creating meaningful health policy change."
For her internship, Faith will be working with the Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC), which comprises all Democratic women in the House of Representatives. The DWC focuses on advancing equal rights, economic opportunity, improved health and safety, and eliminating discriminatory laws and policies for women and girls through legislation, advocacy, and educational efforts.
Faith, who is currently applying to medical schools after recently taking her MCAT, has set her sights on eventually becoming the first Ghanaian-American U.S. Surgeon General—a goal inspired by her admiration for Dr. Joycelyn Elders, who conducted research on sickle cell disease.
"Finding your voice is essential," Faith advises other students. "You're the only one who knows your own story and can tell it as you see it. If you don't raise your voice, who will do it for you?"
Alexandra (Alex) Holland, MSW
Alex Holland, a second-year PhD student in Population Health Sciences at SPPH, brings a unique background to her fellowship. A licensed social worker with experience as a case manager and behavioral interventionist, Alex is passionate about understanding how environmental factors such as hurricanes and extreme temperatures affect health outcomes, particularly for older adults.
"I'm focusing my research on how hurricanes impact health outcomes for older adults, especially those with functional limitations or disabilities," Alex shared. "We know older adults are more vulnerable to climate change effects, but there's a significant gap in research about what makes certain older adults more vulnerable than others and how we can mitigate these impacts."
For her internship, Alex will be working with the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), a policy research and advocacy organization founded in 1945 by scientists from the Manhattan Project. FAS uses science and technology to address national and global security challenges, including climate change, government capacity, and emerging technologies.
Beyond her academic work, Alex serves as a climate and health lecturer for Yale University, facilitating courses in their graduate certificate program. She previously led the DFW chapter of the Climate Reality Project, demonstrating her commitment to environmental advocacy.
"The Archer Fellowship aligns perfectly with my career goals," Alex noted. "After completing my PhD, I hope to work in policy and advocacy at the intersection of health and climate change, particularly for priority populations."
A Summer of Opportunity
The summer fellowship, running from late May to early August, will provide Alex and Faith with unparalleled exposure to federal policymaking processes. Both students have secured internships with organizations that complement their research interests and career goals.
The Archer Center, which administers the fellowship program, serves as the Washington, D.C. campus of The University of Texas System. Founded in 2001, its mission is to educate the next generation of leaders for local, state, federal, and international service through experiential learning programs.
SPPH is proud to see its students selected for this prestigious opportunity that will undoubtedly enhance their educational experience and prepare them for impactful careers in public health leadership and policy.
Know a student with an outstanding achievement? Help us celebrate SPPH student success stories! Email SPPHmarketing@utmb.edu with story ideas about exceptional students, awards, fellowships, publications, and other accomplishments.