Hudson College of Public Health Student Honored with Campus-Wide Leadership Award

The Hudson College of Public Health is proud to celebrate one of its outstanding doctoral students, Katie Qualls Fay, who was recognized with the Outstanding First Year Leadership Award at the OUHSC Campus Awards Ceremony on April 10.

Katie, a PhD student in the Health Promotion Sciences program, was selected for this prestigious honor based on her exceptional leadership, dedication to service, and commitment to professional growth within her first year at OU Health Sciences.

The award recognizes an emerging leader who has made a meaningful impact on campus and in the community. Katie's impressive achievements reflect the spirit of the award and the mission of public health leadership. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for U-Shine, a local nonprofit organization, and facilitates Critical Conversations—a dialogue-based initiative—at institutions across the country. In addition, she serves as a liaison between her church and Afghan refugee families, helping to foster meaningful community connections.

Katie is also a member of the Leadership HSC Class of 2025 and recently completed her term on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Public Health Association, where she contributed to advancing public health initiatives across the state.

When asked about her most significant experience at OU Health Sciences so far, Katie shared that it has been the opportunity to connect with public health experts who inspire and challenge her. Her continued pursuit of becoming a public servant for the state of Oklahoma embodies the core values of our college and the field of public health.

Please join us in congratulating Katie Qualls Fay on this well-deserved recognition. Her leadership and service exemplify the best of what it means to be a student at the Hudson College of Public Health.