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Alumni Spotlight: SteVon Edwards Q&A
Name: SteVon Edwards 
Graduation Date: 2008
Degree: Master Public Health (M.P.H.) with a concentration in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences
Reflection on earning a public health degree from SPHIS
SteVon originally wanted to become a medical doctor and was interested in obstetrics and gynecology. However, when she discovered that public health focuses on systems and not just the individual, she decided this was the area she wanted to learn more about. (We’re glad she did!)
After graduating with a B.S. in psychology from UofL in 2006, she decided to immediately pursue a M.P.H. She said, “I would advise not taking a break between undergraduate and graduate school.”
SteVon’s professional experience
After graduating from SPHIS, SteVon worked for the Community Farm Alliance as a Community Farm Analyst for two years. She joined the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) in 2010 and worked there for seven years. As a Community Health Analyst,she was able to put her education into practice. She learned about coalition building, program development, and program evaluation while working on the Healthy Hometown grant program. She said, “One of the biggest takeaways from my time at the health department was that public health truly affects all sectors. Public health effects everything from medicine to technology.”
SteVon said her MPH degree has aided tremendously in her professional career thus far. She said, “In every position, I have been able to use all of the skills I gained from SPHIS and apply that knowledge, especially when working with non-profits on building capacity and improving impact.”
Present and future plans
Stevon has always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Her long-term goal is to own and operate her own health and wellness center. She wants to be able to impact the system as well as the life and wellness of others.
Currently, SteVon owns her own business, Schenault Solutions. The aim of her company, which launched July 1, 2017, is to aid non-profit organizations in policy and program development as well as improve impact in communities and create collaboration. She said her company focuses on the following areas:
- Policy Development
- Coalition-Building
- Evaluation
- Grant Writing
- Strategic Planning
Even though she is currently just a team of one, she said she has a great team of content experts that she can reach out to thanks to her connections at LMPHW and SPHIS.
Advice to students
“Keep your options open. There are many fields that you can apply your skills. Make sure to consider all of the skills, including those that may fall outside of your degree concentrations, when writing your resume.”
“If you are considering grad school, try to shape your undergrad coursework to fulfill the requirements of the graduate program you choose.”
Connect with SteVon
Website: http://schenault.solutions/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SchenaultSolutions/
