The Center for Diversity in Public Health Leadership Training at Kennedy Krieger Institute offers four programs designed to provide educational opportunities for undergraduate- and graduate-level students in the fields of public health, maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and developmental disabilities. These leadership opportunities focus on the social determinants of health and addressing health disparities through clinical, research, and community engagement and advocacy activities.
The mission of the Center is to develop diverse scholars and leaders who use culturally relevant, evidence-based, and health equity approaches to inform research, practice, advocacy, and policies that promote optimal child brain development. Our programs are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Office of Minority Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Click the image below to learn more about the Center for Diversity in Public Health Leadership Training and our programs:
Please Note:
The 2023 Center for Diversity Application process for all programs (MCH-LEARN, MCHC/RISE-UP, Ferguson RISE & EMURG) has closed. All 2023 Center for Diversity programs are anticipated to be in-person (MCH-LEARN and EMURG Health Equity Fellowship) and hybrid, in-person and virtual (MCHC/RISE-UP and Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases RISE Fellowship). The status of summer programs and fellowships is subject to change based on the status of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit the Center for Diversity website and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for up-to-date information on program modifications.
Our innovative and “real world” experiential training programs include:
Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives For Student Enhancement (MCHC/RISE-UP) Program
The Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement-Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP) is a 9-week summer program designed for undergraduate juniors and seniors, and recent baccalaureate degree students, with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a 4-point scale who are interested in learning more about public health and preventing health disparities. Through this program, with university partners from across the nation (University of South Dakota and University of California - Davis), MCHC/RISE-UP offers public health leadership learning experiences in clinical, research, and community engagement and advocacy areas.
Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Initiatives For Student Enhancement (RISE) Fellowship
The Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement (RISE) Fellowship includes a 6-month (part-time or full-time), 12-month full-time, or 9-week summer public health research experience for students currently enrolled full-time in a medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, or public health, allied health and social sciences graduate programs who are interested in conducting research in the areas of infectious diseases and/or health disparities. Fellows increase professional leadership skills and are supported to present their research at national meetings.
Maternal and Child Health-Leadership Education, Advocacy, And Research Network(MCH-LEARN)
The Maternal and Child Health-Leadership Education, Advocacy, and Research Network (MCH-LEARN) is a 9-week summer program that continues through the following academic year with monthly meetings. This program provides undergraduate freshman and sophomore students, with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale from underrepresented populations who are interested in the maternal and child healthcare (MCH) field, a comprehensive, integrated learning experience. The overarching goal of MCH-LEARN is to increase the number of students from historically disadvantaged and/or underrepresented populations who enter graduate school in MCH fields.
Excellence in Mentorship of Under-Represented Groups (EMURG) for Health Equity Leaders Fellowship Program
The Excellence in Mentorship of Under-Represented Groups (EMURG) for Health Equity Leaders Fellowship Program is a 12-month full-time fellowship program that supports federal public health careers and professional development to address health disparities. This program provides students in a Master’s degree or Doctoral program, with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale, with placement in one of the Department of Health and Human Services Agencies. The EMURG program will help increase the fellow’s understanding of and ability to address the social and political determinants of health disparities through ongoing learning and mentorship experiences.
View our 2022 Center for Diversity Scholars and Fellows
Program Infographics:
Learn more about the makeup of our training program classes through these informative infographics. Click the image to expand it in a new window.
