As a member of the first Masters of Public Health (MPH) cohort at the recently named Kate Marmion School of Public Health, Luis Gutierrez wanted to be part of an organization that provides students a supportive, inclusive environment that encourages learning, professional development and networking opportunities in the field of public health.
This made Gutierrez the perfect candidate to helm the school’s Public Health Student Association. He also had a lot of previous experience holding executive roles as an undergraduate student at The University of Texas at San Antonio’s College of Science — from vice president and speaker of the house to treasurer and student leader.
With the support of the School of Public Health, Gutierrez hit the ground running.
“Honestly, at a new school, things need to be built from the ground up,” Gutierrez said with the enthusiasm of one who welcomes new experiences. “Because we’re so brand new, we can make this organization into whatever we want to make it.”
Association invites students from all disciplines to join
The association launched in the fall 2024 semester with a modest membership of five officers to shape the organization, since many students in the first cohort are working professionals with families and have little extra time to spare.
“We had a struggle to find a time that works for all of us,” Gutierrez said, adding that the association continued to meet biweekly on Tuesday afternoons before class and has had to think outside the box to attract new members.
“Our student organization was created with the students in mind,” Gutierrez said. “How can we balance our professional and personal life while being active in our community? The solution was finding like-minded students with a passion for serving others. With the help of faculty and staff, we were able to create an organization that supports students’ ideas and actions in the community.”
The school provided funding for food and drinks during the organization’s major gatherings. Selinda Cortez, the school’s academic programs coordinator, was integral to helping the association plan events that coincided with the students’ schedules, Gutierrez said.
At a University of Texas System tabling event, Gutierrez saw an opportunity to broaden the association’s membership by inviting students from all six of the Health Science Center campus professional schools to join, since public health encompasses every facet of the health professions.
“Everything is public health, especially here at UT Health San Antonio,” Gutierrez said. “So, we’re encouraging medical students to join, nursing students, PhD students. There’s no fee or anything. We want this to be accessible to anyone and everyone in public health,” he said. “I want it to be an interdisciplinary hub where we all get to transfer ideas and give back to the community.”
Events and educational opportunities
With a focus on inspiring future public health leaders within its membership, the association has worked with the School of Public Health and the community to advocate for public health awareness through multiple events, from making care packages to be distributed to homeless populations to participating in food and toy drives.
The organization is also inviting speakers to broaden students’ perspectives. One speaker spoke about what it takes to be a public health leader, and Gutierrez is seeking a wide range of other speakers who can talk about networking and other aspects of professional development.
Second cohort brings new members
As the school welcomed its second cohort of 26 MPH students in September 2025, members of the Public Health Student Association were more than happy to invite the newest students to join.
What began as an association of five has since tripled to 15, with eight members representing the inaugural cohort and seven members representing the new cohort, Gutierrez said, adding that there are now six officers in the association, including a representative for the newest cohort.
“That way, each year the newcomers get to have their voice represented.”
Gutierrez said the association looks forward to offering advice and support to students in the second cohort.
“We are all very happy to meet with the new cohort and impart wisdom,” Gutierrez said, adding that he has donated his textbooks to students who may need them.
An ambitious vision for the future
Gutierrez said the best part of being president of the organization is meeting new people and laying the groundwork for the association’s future, including establishing a strong culture for the school. As the association continues to grow and evolve, Gutierrez looks forward to planning meet-and-greets with other organizations so they can learn about the association and possibly join.
“My goal is to set up this organization in a way that it will bring our students together, give us a voice and help build our professional lives as well,” Gutierrez said.