USGA Senate

Be the Student Voice of SHP

The USGA Senate consists of students representing the seven undergraduate schools of UAB. The School of Health Professions currently holds two seats in the Senate. 

We need students like YOU to be the voice to inspire, unite, and lead other Blazers on campus. As an active leader in the USGA Senate, you will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty and administration to develop long-lasting changes across UAB. Whether you have a desire to expand your team-building skills, enhance your resume, foster strong relationships with other notable leaders, or increase awareness on a topic you are passionate about; the USGA Senate is the place to start. 

Why Run?

Requirements

Application Deadline 

Students must apply by February 2, 2024. Contact Eleanor Lee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Attend one of the following information sessions:

• Friday, January 28 at Noon 
• Tuesday, February 1 at Noon 

Zoom ID: 895 4364 7802

Meet Your Current Senators

• Brent Jackson, Biomedical Sciences
• Anne Liu, Biomedical Sciences
• Snekha Rajasekaran, Biomedical Sciences
• Yesenia Villanueva, Biomedical Sciences

Anne Liu, '24, Biomedical Sciences

Get to Know

Yesi Villanueva, '24, Biomedical Sciences

Get to Know

• 
• 

• Brent Jackson

• Anne Liu

  Why did you join the Senate?

  I joined USGA Senate to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, not just in the School of Health Professions (SHP), but also supporting positive, progressive impacts across all UAB’s campus.

  What is your platform?

  • Allow a more inclusive environment to connect peers organically and nourishing genuine relationships.
  • Bridging gaps between SHP students and faculty.
  • Engage directly with feedback from the student body.
  • Expand student outreach and engagement through interactive social media opportunities.
  • Increase promotion for mental wellbeing support among the student population.
  • Limelight and provide accessible resources to address mental burnout of higher education students.

  What do you hope to accomplish?

  With my time as an SHP Senator, I hope to bring about the voices of our students through voicing mental health and wellness awareness. Additionally, I am committed to working collaboratively with my fellow SHP Senators and peers to address challenges facing our school and our campus community.

  What are your plans after graduation?

  Currently, I am looking to enroll in a master’s program at UAB to further pursue professional school and my personal career goals!

• Snekha Rajasekaran

• Yesi Villanueva

  Why did you join the Senate?

  I joined the USGA Senate to become a representative of the SHP student body and to advocate for students’ needs.

  What is your platform?

  • Promote diversity and inclusivity, specifically of Hispanic/Latine students, within the School of Health Professions through student spotlights.
  • Promote an environment where students in all SHP academic programs (Biobehavioral Nutrition and Wellness, Biomedical Sciences, Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Science, and Health Care Management) feel heard and cared for.
  • Establish community outreach initiatives for SHP students.
  • Create community outreach initiatives for volunteer experience and opportunities to socialize and form relationships.
  • Provide more standardized testing resources and tutoring opportunities for students.

  What do you hope to accomplish?

  I hope to increase engagement between the School of Health Professions and USGA. I also aspire to effectively address the needs of SHP students and implement a more inclusive science tutoring system for SHP students.

  What are your plans after graduation?

  Take a gap year, teach English abroad in Spain, and then attend medical school!

• Brent Jackson
• 
• Snekha Rajasekaran
• 

SHP Blazer Closet

Students saw a need and took action to do something about it. M’Kaila Isom (MSHA Class 57), Mya Buckner (MSHA Class 58) and Rani Thakker (MSHA Class 58) created the School of Health Professions (SHP) Blazer Closet.

The SHP Blazer Closet allows all SHP students and recent alumni to obtain professional attire for career fairs, networking events, internships, interviews, and other career-related occasions. It contains a variety of professional dress options that have been donated by alumni, employees, and friends of SHP.

The professional clothing closet is located inside the SHP Office of Student Services and Advising suite in room SHPB 230F.

Guidelines

• The SHP Blazer Closet is available to all SHP students.
• SHP alumni can use the closet up until one year after graduation.
• Depending on inventory, students may take up to three items or enough items to form one complete outfit (jacket, shirt/blouse, pants, etc.) from the closet per year.
• All items in the closet are free thanks to the generosity of SHP alumni, employees, and friends.
• If you accept items, you must write a thank you letter to a donor who has contributed to the closet.
• To request an appointment to shop in the SHP Blazer Closet, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 205-934-4194.
• Appointments should be booked at least 24 hours before the event for which clothing is needed.

M’Kaila Isom (MSHA Class 57)

“When I first came to the program, I noticed that the student lounge was utilized as a makeshift career closet. Professional clothes were folded in a corner or hung on a rack for anyone in need. However, I knew that there had to be a more accessible way to not only reach our students' program, but within the entire department. I began the process of finding and securing a new closet space with the help of my team. Not long after, bags of clothes and hygienic items were donated to the SHP Blazer Closet, and our drive has been a fast-growing success.”

Miracle League Volunteers

Thank you for volunteering for Miracle League Baseball!

This group is part of a national organization that provides opportunities for all children to play baseball regardless of physical ability. Located in Gardendale (about 15 minutes north of Birmingham), this nearly 16,000 square feet baseball field is designed for athletes of all ages with special needs.

Where and When

• Pate Field at Luman Harris Park (601 Park St, Gardendale, AL 35071)
• Thursday, October 24, 2024
• 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Register through Blazer Pulse

To prepare yourself for the big day - either watch the video to the right or read below.

Game Day

• Volunteers meet at the main entrance at 5:30 p.m.
• Game one - the Minor League - begins at 6:00 p.m. and consists mostly of athletes starting at the age of five.
• Game two - the Major League - begins at 7:15 p.m. and consists mostly of adults.
• Please plan to stay until 8:00 p.m. so you can help with both games.

Things to Know Before You Go

• You are helping children and adults with disabilities play baseball.
• You will not be playing, but you will be running around the field with your buddy.
• Once you are partnered with a buddy, you will stay with them the entire time.
• Please park farther away from the field - leave the parking spaces near the field open for the participants.
• Most importantly - HAVE FUN!

Working With Your Buddy

Your buddy needs you to help and support their independence. Because each buddy's needs are unique, we've included some tips below to help you make this an amazing experience for both of you.

• Stay with your buddy. If they run all the bases - you run all the bases. ⚾
• Go with the flow. 😎
• If your buddy does not want to stop at first base - then don't - just keep running. 🏃🏽‍♂️
• If your buddy runs the bases in the reverse order - you run the opposite way with them. 🏃🏿‍♀️
• Playing in the field is often literally playing in the field. It is okay if the game is secondary. 🏅
• Some buddies need you to hit for them, but others do not. Someone will let you know their preference. 💯
• If your buddy is in a wheelchair, you will need to push them. And you will need to run while pushing. 👩‍🦽🏃🏿‍♀️
• Keep your buddy hydrated. Offer water often. 🥤

Thank You!

A sincere thank you again for volunteering for this wonderful event. We look forward to seeing you there. Go Blazers!

Experience the Miracle League

Request a SHP Ambassador

Our ambassadors are permitted to conduct tours, host events, escort visitors, welcome guests, usher guests and other similar duties for official SHP departmental events and activities. Requests should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event. The SHP Ambassador Program strives to accommodate all requests while respecting the Ambassadors’ academic and co-curricular schedules.

Contact Information

Thank you in advance for filling out this form. If you do not receive an email confirmation upon completion, or if you have any problems filling out the form, please contact Kevin Storr at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Find Your SHP Program

The UAB School of Health Professions is the fastest growing school at UAB. We are a student-focused school that works to prepare our graduates to promote, protect, and improve the quality of health and healthcare of all people. Our team of advisors offer curriculum and academic guidance including course selection and scheduling as well as admissions counseling.

Fill out the form below and one of our dedicated advisors will be in touch to assist you.

Office of Student Services and Advising

Our educational services include supplemental instruction and degree tracking, plus, academic coaching and development. Our other services include community outreach, developing career readiness skills and being your campus resources connection.

HRP 101: Experiencing the University Transition

All freshmen declaring a pre-health major - that is any School of Health Professions undergraduate program or pre-SHP with undeclared major - are required to complete a first year experience course during their first fall term. We offer HRP 101 to ease your transition between high school and university experiences and to prepare you for success in health professions majors. The course is three semester hours credit, and is designed to be delivered in a seminar format. Students interact with faculty, advisors, and other students to learn academic skills and personal lifestyle management tactics to make their freshman experience positive and academically rewarding.

Visit us Virtually!

Health Care Explorations

Typically, you can explore all the the UAB School of Health Professions' options with us in person at our offices on the 2nd floor of the School of Health Professions Building. We are located in SHPB 230, which is just past the elevators. But if you are unable to visit campus or we miss you - we are still here for you.

These videos give you insight into who we are and what we offer. You will also see some student testimonials that talk about why they chose UAB and their programs.

And of course, if you still have more questions This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you for your interest in SHP and we look forward to working with you!

Visit us Virtually!