Senior Spotlight: Summer Golen
Summer Golen is a Public Health Sciences senior who will return to UMass as a graduate student in the 4+1 Program.
Who are some people you feel have contributed to your success at UMass?
Several members of the SPHHS staff have played an important role in my success at UMass. My academic advisors and internship supervisors, Brigid Williams and Jesse Hunsicker, have been incredible mentors throughout my undergraduate journey. They have consistently supported me in building both my confidence and independence over the years.
Dr. Gloria Difulvio is another faculty member who has had a meaningful impact on my experience, serving as my honors thesis mentor. Over the past year, I have worked closely with her to update the StoreShare website, which highlights the stories shared by participants in her course, PubHlth 475: The Epidemic of Loneliness.
I also owe much of my growth to my public health peers. Building connections with other students, learning alongside them, and forming lasting relationships has not only shaped my academic experience but also helped define who I am today. These relationships have deepened my understanding of public health and made the field feel especially collaborative and inspiring.
What is your favorite UMass memory?
Although there are many to choose from, my favorite UMass memory is attending men’s hockey games with my roommates. It has become a tradition for us to go to as many home games as possible and cheer on the Minutemen.
These moments have been a great reminder of the importance of balance, taking time away from academics to enjoy campus life and take part in the many experiences UMass has to offer.
What surprised you most about your major?
What surprised me most about the public health major was how broad and interdisciplinary it is. It quickly became clear that almost anything can be connected back to public health in some way.
I was also surprised by how close-knit and collaborative the program felt. Many of my classes shifted away from traditional lectures and instead focused on discussion and engagement. This created opportunities to connect deeply with other students, with whom I am still friends today.
These connections have been invaluable, as they have broadened my perspective and encouraged the exchange of ideas, something that is especially important in the field of public health.
What’s next after UMass?
This summer, I will be interning at the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod, where I will work alongside an epidemiologist and a physical therapist to help research and design interventions for older adult populations.
In the fall, I will be returning to UMass to continue my education in the accelerated 4+1 MPH program in Epidemiology. I have already begun taking graduate-level courses during my senior year, so I have just one year left before completing my master’s degree. The 4+1 program has been an incredible opportunity, and I am very grateful to be part of it.
What made your UMass experience special or unique?
Being involved in Public Health Peer Advising has truly made my UMass experience unique. I began as a peer advisor during my junior year and was later promoted to Head Peer Advisor in my senior year.
This role has provided me with a wide range of academic and professional opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. It has also allowed me to work closely with both students and staff within SPHHS, building meaningful connections and contributing to a supportive academic community.