Alumni Feature: Turning Public Health Passion into Prevention-Focused Research and Impact

For Kate Mohr, MPH, CHES, public health has always been about finding ways to create meaningful change — and her journey through OU Hudson College of Public Health helped transform that passion into a career focused on improving programs and strengthening communities.

After graduating from the Health Promotion Sciences program in 2021, Mohr continued building on her passion for prevention and research. Today, she serves as a Research Project Manager in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, where she supports public health initiatives through program evaluation and data-driven decision-making.

Mohr’s interest in public health was shaped by her own life experiences and a desire to focus on prevention.

“I was drawn to public health by my life experiences, excitement for prevention and drive to make a difference,” she said.

During her undergraduate studies, Mohr discovered an unexpected passion for data — and recognized that pursuing a Master of Public Health would help her strengthen those skills while gaining the knowledge needed to make an impact at the population level.

At Hudson, Mohr found opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world public health practice. A key part of that experience came through working as a Graduate Research Assistant, where she gained hands-on experience with program design, evaluation and implementation.

“Having the practical experience as a GRA really helped apply the things I was learning during the program.”

Through mentorship and applied learning opportunities, Mohr was able to work closely with faculty, public health professionals and community partners — experiences that shaped her understanding of how effective programs are built and measured.

One faculty mentor played a particularly important role in her development, serving as her supervisor, practicum advisor and a partner in program evaluation work.

“That trifecta helped me really dive into the nitty gritty of program evaluation and design,” she said.

That experience helped prepare Mohr for her next steps, including a role coordinating public health programs and later joining the OU Health Campus evaluation team.

Like many public health professionals, Mohr’s graduate experience was shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic — an unprecedented moment that reinforced the importance of adaptable, evidence-based public health practice.

Today, Mohr continues advancing public health by evaluating health promotion programs across Oklahoma. Through her work, she helps assess the impact of initiatives focused on improving wellness and healthy living.

“I feel so lucky to get photos, reports and documentation of all the exciting advances in healthy living programs.”

Her role allows her to support programs by translating data and outcomes into meaningful information that can guide future efforts and strengthen public health practice.

For students considering the Health Promotion Sciences program, Mohr encourages them to seek out opportunities early and build connections with faculty.

“My advice is to reach out to the professors and see if there are any opportunities you are interested in,” she said. “I wish I had started sooner.”

Through her work in evaluation and research, Mohr reflects the impact of HCOPH graduates — using data, collaboration and public health knowledge to help communities build healthier futures.