Student Profile: Ariel Scalise
Ariel Scalise is a second-year doctoral candidate in the Health Policy and Management program.
Why did you choose UMass for your doctoral studies?
As an aspiring PhD student, I found the most important factor of my growth and development was to find an advisor who would care about my development and guide my progress throughout a PhD program. When I interviewed at UMass, I found not only an incredible advisor who cares deeply for her students but an entire department of faculty who take the time to engage, mentor, and learn with their students. I found the Health Promotion and Policy department faculty at UMass to be unparalleled in any other university I spoke with. Pair the faculty with the incredibly rich resources the university provides to students, and I knew my education would be the wonderful journey I was looking for in my next chapter.
What is your favorite part of being in the Health Policy and Management program?
My favorite part of being in the HPM program is, hands down, the people. The culture of HPM is warm and intellectually stimulating. The collaborative nature of the department promotes strong and rigorous research that reaches across disciplines.
What career, research, or internship opportunities have you found by virtue of studying at the SPHHS?
I have been fortunate enough to work for the school's Center for Program Evaluation as a research assistant. This role has provided me with diverse opportunities to work in our local community conducting evaluations. I have had the privilege to evaluate the student wellness initiatives on campus which include, the Science of Thriving, Positivity and Relaxation Training, and Mindfulness retreats. I have also been lucky enough to work on an evaluation of Northampton's Division of Community Care (DCC), which is an innovative intervention based in the city's Department of Health and Human Services. The program is designed to prevent and divert non-medical, non-emergency 911 calls through the use of trained community responders who provide emotional support, de-escalation, collaborative problem solving, advocacy, and resource connection for individuals experiencing homelessness, emotional distress, difficulty meeting basic needs, and struggles with substance use. Lastly, in my first year, I was given the chance to work on Project Listen. This project allowed me to speak with people about mosquito and tick control at all levels of policy and program implementation, including state level representatives and health officials. These evaluation projects have provided me an invaluable opportunity to learn not just in the classroom but through applying my coursework in real time.
What advice would you give prospective Health Policy and Management students?
Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Decide on what you want out of your education and then ask for it. Read the departmental handbook and then outline your goals based on what the department requirements are so you can really shape the program to your needs. Also, find your people in research. Spend time looking for people not only at UMass but in other places who are interested in what you are so you can stay up to date with what is happening in your area of interest.
What are your plans for after graduation, and in what ways is UMass setting you up for future success?
Ideally, I will continue doing research that focuses on women’s health and implementing health service practices, which improve the healthcare menstruating people receive. Through my coursework, research assistantship, and mentorship, UMass has given me incredible skills to produce equitable, rigorous, and patient-centered work.