Student organizations are an essential part of your PHHA experience. They provide opportunities to connect with peers who share your interests, attend professional conferences and regional meetings, engage in community service projects that apply your coursework to real-world challenges, network with public health and health administration professionals working in Charlotte and beyond, develop leadership and organizational skills that strengthen your resume, and build lasting friendships with classmates across undergraduate and graduate programs.
Whether you’re passionate about health equity, interested in health care management, curious about epidemiology and disease surveillance, or committed to community health improvement, there’s an organization that matches your goals and career interests.
Why Join a Student Organization?
Student organizations help you translate classroom learning into professional practice. You’ll gain hands-on experience planning events, managing budgets, coordinating speakers and leading teams — all skills that employers value. Many organizations also offer opportunities to present research at conferences, volunteer with community partners, and earn professional development credits that count toward certifications like CHES and FACHE.
Alumni consistently report that their involvement in student organizations was one of the most valuable parts of their education, helping them build networks that led directly to internships, job offers and mentorship relationships.
Public Health Student Association (PHSA)
The Public Health Student Association is the primary student organization for undergraduate and graduate students in public health. PHSA serves as the student voice within the department and represents UNC Charlotte at state and national public health events.
What We Do:
- Host professional development workshops on resume building, interview skills and career pathways in public health
- Organize community service projects addressing food insecurity, health literacy and chronic disease prevention
- Coordinate guest speaker series featuring public health practitioners, researchers and policy advocates
- Plan social events and networking opportunities for PHHA students across all programs
- Facilitate attendance at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting and North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) conferences
- Support student research presentations and poster sessions
Leadership Opportunities: PHSA is led by an executive board of student officers including President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and committee chairs for community engagement, advocacy and professional development. Elections are held each spring semester.
Membership: Open to all PHHA students (undergraduate and graduate)
Meetings: 🚨 [SCHEDULE NEEDED ]
Contact: 🚨 [EMAIL OR FORM NEEDED]
Health Administration Student Association (HASA)
The Health Administration Student Association supports students pursuing careers in health care management and health systems leadership. HASA connects members to Charlotte’s vibrant health care community through networking events, site visits and professional development opportunities.
What We Do:
- Host networking events with Charlotte-area health administrators, hospital executives and health system leaders
- Organize site visits to Atrium Health, Novant Health and other major health care organizations
- Provide resources and support for students preparing for the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) credential exam
- Coordinate panel discussions on health care trends, policy changes and career pathways in health administration
- Facilitate mentorship connections between students and practicing health care executives
- Support MHA students preparing for administrative residencies and job placements
Leadership Opportunities: HASA officers work closely with MHA faculty and the UNC Charlotte student chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Leadership roles include President, Vice President for Programming, Vice President for Membership, and Communications Chair.
Membership: Open to all PHHA students, particularly MHA and BSHSMT students
Meetings: 🚨 [SCHEDULE NEEDED]
Contact: 🚨 [EMAIL NEEDED]
Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health
Delta Omega is the national honorary society for public health, recognizing academic excellence and leadership among public health students and professionals. The UNC Charlotte chapter inducts outstanding MPH students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in coursework, research and service to the public health community.
What We Do:
- Recognize and celebrate academic achievement in public health education
- Host induction ceremonies for new members each spring semester
- Provide networking opportunities with Delta Omega alumni and public health leaders
- Support student research through mentorship and presentation opportunities
- Connect members to Delta Omega’s national network of public health scholars and practitioners
Membership Benefits:
- Lifetime membership in Delta Omega Honorary Society
- Recognition on your academic transcript and diploma
- Access to Delta Omega scholarships, awards and professional development resources
- Networking opportunities with public health leaders locally and nationally
- Eligibility to serve as a faculty sponsor for future Delta Omega chapters
Eligibility: MPH students in the top 25% of their class with a minimum of 12 credit hours completed. Invitations are extended by faculty nomination and student application.
Induction Ceremony: 🚨 [ANNUAL TIMING NEEDED — e.g., Held annually in April]
Contact: 🚨 [FACULTY ADVISOR EMAIL NEEDED]
Upsilon Phi Delta (UPD) — Health Administration Honor Society
Upsilon Phi Delta is the national honor society for students in health administration. UNC Charlotte’s chapter recognizes outstanding MHA students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and commitment to advancing the health administration profession.
What We Do:
- Recognize academic achievement and leadership in health administration
- Connect members to UPD’s national network of health care executives and administrators
- Support professional development through mentorship and career guidance
- Facilitate networking with UPD alumni working in health systems across the country
Membership Benefits:
- Lifetime membership in Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society
- Recognition at MHA graduation ceremony
- Access to UPD scholarships and professional development opportunities
- Networking connections to health administration leaders and executives
Eligibility: MHA students in the top tier of academic performance, typically with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Invitations are extended by faculty nomination.
Contact: 🚨 [FACULTY ADVISOR EMAIL NEEDED]
Graduate Public Health Association (GPHA)
The Graduate Public Health Association serves as the graduate student voice within the Department of Public Health and Health Administration. GPHA fosters community among MPH students, advocates for graduate student needs and organizes professional development opportunities tailored to the graduate student experience.
What We Do:
- Facilitate peer support and community building among MPH students
- Organize study groups, exam prep sessions and academic success workshops
- Advocate for graduate student interests with department leadership
- Coordinate social events and networking opportunities for MPH students
- Support MPH students navigating practicum placements and capstone projects
Membership: Open to all MPH students
Contact: 🚨 [EMAIL NEEDED]
Student Interest Groups
Students are encouraged to form interest groups focused on specific public health and health administration topics. Current and past interest groups have included:
- Health Equity & Social Justice
- Global Health
- Environmental Health & Climate Change
- Epidemiology & Data Science
- Health Policy & Advocacy
- Maternal & Child Health
- Emergency Preparedness & Disaster Response
- LGBTQ+ Health
- Rural Health
- Mental Health & Substance Use
Interest groups meet informally to discuss topics, share resources, invite guest speakers and organize community engagement projects. If you’re interested in starting a new interest group, contact PHSA or GPHA leadership.
National & Regional Conferences
PHHA student organizations support student attendance at major public health and health administration conferences including:
- American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting
- North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) Annual Conference
- Congress on Healthcare Leadership (American College of Healthcare Executives)
- Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) Annual Meeting
- Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) Annual Meeting
Organizations often coordinate group travel, provide funding support and help students prepare research presentations and poster sessions for these conferences.
Join a Student Organization
Get involved with PHSA, HASA or a student interest group and start building your professional network today.
Questions About Getting Involved?
Connect with our team to learn more about student organizations, leadership opportunities and how to start a new interest group.