Student Scholars
2025 Student Scholars
The American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian (AIANNH) Caucus of the American Public Health Association (APHA) encourages Indigenous students from across the country to apply for the Margo D. Kerrigan Travel Scholarship, an award named after the AIANNH Caucus founder who was the first American Indian professional to serve on the APHA Executive Board. In Margo’s honor, the award provides scholars the opportunity to fully participate in the APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition each year, promoting achievement and promise in growing Indigenous public health professionals.
This year, 5 students were selected to receive the 2025 Margo Kerrigan Scholarship: Jennie Holmes (American Indian), Macaiah Shendo (American Indian), Luke Layman (Alaska Native), Jessica Denetdeal (American Indian), and Lei’ohu Turley (Native Hawaiian). Students represented Dartmouth College, University of New Mexico, University of Colorado, Dine College, and University of North Dakota. We had 2 undergraduate students, 2 Master’s students, and one PhD student. The students came from various tribal backgrounds including Native Hawaiian, Navajo, Orutsararmuit Traditional Native Council, and the Pueblos of Jemez, Sandia, and Isleta.
The Margo Kerrigan scholarship provides students roundtrip airfare, lodging, APHA
registration and membership, AIANNH Caucus membership, and a stipend for baggage, meals, and ground transportation – representing a cost of approximately $2000 per student. As part of their scholarship agreement, students are required to participate in the AIANNH Caucus Executive Board Meeting, the General Caucus Membership Meeting, the Caucus Social, and the Wisdom of the Elders session. They are also afforded the opportunity to attend other APHA events and sessions that pique their interest, browse and network at the Expo, and meet with other Public Health professionals throughout the meeting. The Margo Kerrigan scholarship provides an enriching and powerful opportunity for aspiring Indigenous Public Health Professionals to seek new opportunities and build a foundation for their education and career.
The following are reflections shared by the 2025 Margo Kerrigan Scholars.
