Outstanding Scholar Advocates

Each year MS in Community Health and Social Justice students are nominated for their commitment to the program’s mission and values, outstanding academic work, scholarly inquiry, community engagement, and contributions to the well-being, culture, and integrity of the academic community. Recipients demonstrate excellence in the application of theory and evidence-based knowledge to practice, the potential to advance the fields of public health and social justice, and meaningful engagement as a collaborative, ethical, and supportive member of the community.

Jacqueline Richards, 2025

With a natural curiosity and drive for learning that is truly exceptional, Jacqueline’s research is helping to inform policy and to shape new paradigms of public health praxis by laying groundwork for new community-driven innovations.

Additionally, she has contributed greatly to the UWB community, supporting her peers as it relates to their own development as scholars, and demonstrating her ability to work with a wide range of individuals while working toward a common goal.

Pia Sampaga-Khim, 2025

Demonstrating exceptional leadership and an unwavering commitment to health equity Pia is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities, particularly populations that have traditionally been marginalized or under-served.

Pia is known to be a true advocate for health and social justice. Not only has she been involved at the grassroots level in helping to provide education around critical issues facing the communities she served, but she’s also encouraged and supported those she works with to engage more civically, even providing training at the county level for how to engage in Legislative Education Day in Olympia and helping some of the health educators she supervisors to prepare and to present posters at WA State Public Health Association’s Annual Conference, SOPHE, and APHA.

Updated June 2026