Alumni Feature: Turning Public Health Passion Into Policy and Advocacy Impact

For McKenzie Cowlbeck, public health has always been about creating change beyond the classroom — bringing knowledge, collaboration and advocacy together to strengthen communities.

After completing her MPH at the Hudson College of Public Health, Cowlbeck turned her student experiences into a career focused on advancing public health policy and supporting the future of the field.

Today, she serves as Executive Director for the Oklahoma Public Health Association (OPHA), where she works across local, regional and national levels to strengthen public health advocacy and policymaking throughout Oklahoma.

Her journey began while she was still a student. During her second semester in the MPH program, Cowlbeck began working with OPHA through Hudson College’s partnership with the Oklahoma Public Health Training Center. What started as a policy internship became the foundation of her career.

“Hudson College faculty and staff supported and encouraged me to dive in headfirst early in my degree, and I haven’t left OPHA since.”

That early opportunity allowed Cowlbeck to apply classroom concepts to real-world public health challenges while developing the skills needed to become an effective advocate and leader.

Through her internship experience, she built a deeper understanding of how policy, communication and collaboration shape public health outcomes.

“That experiential learning Hudson College offered me has not only shaped my own career path, but is making a difference in Oklahoma.”

The mentorship and support she received from faculty and staff also played a key role in her development. Cowlbeck says the college’s emphasis on learning both inside and outside the classroom helped prepare her to enter the workforce with confidence.

Hudson College’s commitment to hands-on learning gave her the opportunity to engage directly with public health professionals and communities — experiences that continue to influence her work today.

“I am where I am in my career because of the opportunities and encouragement Hudson College, its faculty and staff continuously offered,” she said.

Since graduating, Cowlbeck has continued building upon the skills she developed as a student. She now serves as the executive director of OPHA, represents the organization with the American Public Health Association and continues advocating for stronger public health systems.

Her work has been recognized nationally, including receiving the American Public Health Association Council of Affiliates’ 2024 Outstanding Student of the Year Award for the experiential learning completed during her MPH practicum.

For prospective students considering Hudson College of Public Health, Cowlbeck emphasizes that a world-class public health education is available close to home.

“You don’t need to leave Oklahoma to receive a phenomenal public health education.”

She encourages future students to take advantage of the relationships, mentorship and hands-on experiences available through the college.

“The professors are so knowledgeable and are great teachers, the staff is endlessly supportive, and Hudson College offers accredited and rigorous coursework that prepared me to enter and thrive in the workforce after graduating.”

Through her work in public health policy and advocacy, Cowlbeck represents the impact of Hudson College graduates — professionals who use their education, experience and passion to strengthen public health practice and create lasting change across Oklahoma and beyond.