Emma Noffsinger BA’26 swims to success in public health

Academic and athletic excellence

Like so many Willamette University students, Emma Noffsinger BA’26 has done a little bit of everything during her time on campus.

From serving as Captain of the Women’s Swimming Team to presenting high-impact research at conferences to raising awareness about drug use through internship experiences, the Public Health and Psychology major has taken advantage of all the opportunities a Willamette education offers. 

The result? Extraordinary personal and academic growth that has set her up for success in the field of public health.

“At Willamette, I have become a more outgoing and confident person,” Emma says. “I believe that I have been able to better myself as a person and as a student.”

Emma says that her public health advisor, Assistant Professor Nicole Eroz-Elardo, has supported her every step of the way. 

“She has been instrumental in who I am today,” Emma says. “Taking her courses has taught me so much, not only about public health, but about my passion for it. She taught me skills that I will be able to take with me into graduate school and my future career as a public health professional.” 

That close faculty mentorship helped empower Emma to pursue several research opportunities as a student. Collaborative research with the Willamette Personality Psychology Lab, led by Professor Erik Noftle, gave Emma the chance to present in front of leading scholars at the Western Psychological Association conference. She also conducted applied public health research with the Willamette University Public Health Department in partnership with Marion County Health, studying how the environment shapes Oregonians’ health.

“Being able to have close relationships with professors and staff at Willamette has helped me to have the best opportunities to expand upon what I learn in the classroom,” Emma says. “Willamette has given me the ability to excel, not only in the classroom but in all aspects of my life.”

Continuing her public health journey

The relationships, leadership opportunities, research experiences, and athletics success have all prepared Emma for her next step: pursuing a Master's of Health Science in mental health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, one of the most prestigious public health graduate programs in the world. There, she hopes to pursue a career in psychiatric epidemiology, unlocking the causes of mental and behavioral disorders across populations.

But she won’t be alone in her journey: she’ll be joined by her best friend and Willamette roommate Abigail Staniec BS/BA’26, who will also attend Johns Hopkins next year.

“As I look to the future, I feel extremely prepared for the next chapter of my life,” Emma says. “The educational and extracurricular opportunities I had at Willamette have prepared me to be the best version of myself as a professional.”

As she leaves campus, she does so with renewed gratitude and appreciation for the community she has found here.

“I have had the best four years as a Bearcat and am so thankful for everyone who made my experience as amazing as it has been!”