Q&A with MPH Alumnus: Chris Amezcua

Baylor University alumnus Chris Amezcua, who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health and his Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Community Health Science, is now pursuing his healthcare journey at an accelerated nursing program in Houston, Texas. 

We interviewed Chris back in 2022, shortly after he entered Baylor’s MPH program. Today, catch up with him as he reflects on how the program shaped his academic path, professional goals, and personal growth. 

“Being a first-generation college student, I did not know much about college, but Baylor felt like home when I first toured as a sophomore in high school—the people, the campus, and the community allowed me to picture myself here for four years of undergrad. I loved being in Waco so much that when it came time to think about graduate school, I knew I wanted to stay.” —Chris Amezcua, MPH

Tell us about some of the hands-on experiences you had while earning your MPH. 

One of the most unique opportunities was partnering with Waco’s Church Under the Bridge for our annual Public Health Fair. Through that event, we worked alongside undergraduate students to serve the city’s unsheltered population by providing them with resources, education, and support. Being able to step outside the typical classroom bubble and serve people was incredibly rewarding—helping communities is one of the reasons I chose public health as my career path. 

An unforgettable experience was taking part in the Baylor in Brazil study abroad program. I spent a month working and learning alongside Dr. [Eva] Doyle, partnering with various churches and engaging in public health initiatives. This allowed me to see global health in action while serving people in a whole different environment. It was also special to travel with classmates and professors while building relationships through our service.

How did Baylor’s MPH program prepare you for your current career?

One of my goals has been to combine public health and nursing to provide better care for patients. In nursing school, I am currently learning the clinical side of how to care for individuals, while my public health background helps me think beyond the walls of the clinic. It allows me to focus on community engagement and connecting patients with the resources they need for better for long-term health outcomes. I am currently taking an independent study course on HIV, which gives me another opportunity to apply my public health skills alongside my nursing education. 

Previously, I had the opportunity to work at Boise State University as a Prevention and Program Management Coordinator focusing on suicide prevention. It was a completely new position, which meant I was able to build the program from the ground up—the knowledge and skills I gained during Baylor’s MPH program fully prepared me for that challenge.

What skills or experiences from Baylor do you use today?

Many students come into nursing school focused primarily on clinical skills, which is incredibly important, but they do not always get the opportunity to look at healthcare through a broader public health lens. Because of what I learned in Baylor’s MPH program, I often find myself sharing that perspective with my classmates, leading us to have conversations about how we can think beyond the clinical setting to better support patients and their communities. 

Another important lesson Baylor has taught me was the value of community. Having people who can not only support you, but share experiences with you, and grow alongside you makes such a dramatic difference. I built friendships with people from diverse backgrounds, and many of them are still some of my closest friends to this day. Those relationships truly became like family, and that sense of community is one of the most meaningful things I took away from my time at Baylor. 

How did Baylor make an impact on you?

Being a first-generation college student, I did not know much about college, but Baylor felt like home when I first toured as a sophomore in high school—the people, the campus, and the community allowed me to picture myself here for four years of undergrad. I loved being in Waco so much that when it came time to think about graduate school, I knew I wanted to stay. 

Pursuing my MPH at Baylor allowed me to continue growing not only my community but also deepen the relationships I had built. For example, I was able to serve as a research assistant under Dr. [Beth] Lanning. She even invited some of us into her home for Thanksgiving, showing how much she values building heartfelt relationships with students. Having professors who are willing to dedicate themselves to you—academically and personally—is something incredibly special, and it is one of the most unique aspects of Baylor’s MPH program.

Baylor made an enormous impact on me outside of academics through my five years in the Golden Wave Band. Getting the opportunity to perform at football and basketball games, cheering my heart out for the Bears, and seeing the Baylor community come together to support the University created so many memories. 

Overall, Baylor will always hold a special place in my heart. There is something about campus that still feels like home to me, and I quietly hold onto the hope that one day the Lord might call me back again. Baylor is where everything changed for me. It is where I first came to know Christ and where my faith truly began to take root. When I look back, I don’t just see a university campus; I see the beginning of a life transformed. Baylor is the place where the Lord met me and began shaping who I am today. Since then, He has carried me through so much, and every step forward traces back to where it all began.

Inspired by Chris’ graduate school experience? Learn how Baylor can prepare you for a career in Public Health.