Sarah Chaban has been an unstoppable force since stepping onto the UM-Dearborn campus in 2022. Originally from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sarah is pursuing a degree in health and human services, with a focus on public health, at the College of Education, Health, & Human Services (CEHHS). Throughout her journey, she has immersed herself in a variety of student organizations and research initiatives, all of which have played a pivotal role in shaping her academic path and professional aspirations.

Leadership in the Public Health Society 

One standout organization is the Public Health Society (PHS), where Sarah has served as president for the past year and a half. PHS is dedicated to raising awareness about healthcare, healthcare facilities, public health issues, and public policy, both locally and globally. Under Sarah’s leadership, the society has undergone a revitalization, focusing on boosting student engagement and focusing on student and professional development. She has been instrumental in removing financial and logistical barriers, ensuring that students have the resources they need to thrive and access opportunities for personal and professional growth in public health.

“When I first joined the PHS, I quickly realized that student engagement on campus was a significant challenge. Like many others, I wanted to feel connected to something bigger and encourage more students to participate in our events,” said Sarah. “But turnout was low — not only due to the lingering effects of COVID-19 but also because many students couldn’t afford to take time off work or spend money on campus activities.”

Sarah is proud of the strides PHS has made. “I can confidently say that rebuilding the organization has been the most rewarding experience of my college career,” she said. “As president, I’ve led initiatives that provide students with hands-on experience, career development opportunities, and public health education.”

One of Sarah’s most significant achievements was helping with the promotion of UM-Dearborn’s Disability and Accessibility Services (ACCESS)pilot program All of Us, a research program that addresses the chronic lack of racial and ethnic diversity in health studies. This collaboration helped the PHS secure enough funding to support student initiatives, including a professional development scholarship that is currently in the works.

Sarah has also been instrumental in expanding public health training on campus. She organized NARCAN® training sessions with the Wayne County Public Health Division and facilitated an epilepsy seizure training with the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan. Additionally, she played a key role in launching Lunch and Learn sessions for ACCESS’s pilot “ALL of US” research initiative, as well as biweekly tabling events to recruit students for research collaboration and volunteer opportunities.

Her efforts have also enhanced networking and mentorship opportunities for students through the creation of the Annual Alumni Panel, where students gain valuable insights from successful public health professionals. Sarah co-organized the Women x Health Panel and the first-ever CEHHS Annual Alumni Panel, which was brought together to facilitate conversations with previous alumni and re-vitalize CEHHS's mission

Mentorship is Key

Throughout her college career, Sarah has been fortunate to be mentored by three exceptional individuals who have significantly shaped her path. Natalie Sampson, PhD, associate professor, CEHHS, was instrumental in helping Sarah rebuild the PHS, transforming it into something greater than she had ever envisioned. Kathleen Darcy, JD, PhD, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice studies, Sarah’s first law professor, provided invaluable guidance as she navigates her path to law school. Lisa Martin, a professor with joint appointments in women and gender studies and health and human services, has also been a key figure in Sarah’s academic journey. “She gave me the opportunity to work as a research assistant on the Reproductive Freedom on the Ballot project, where I analyzed how campaign messaging influenced public opinion and the 2024 election, particularly in relation to reproductive rights,” she said. “This experience opened my eyes to the world of academic research and policy analysis, shaping my career aspirations moving forward.” Sarah continued her research assistantship with Martin and Darcy, co-authoring an article for Case Western Health Matrix titled "Abortion Bites Back: An Analysis of Direct Democracy Efforts in the Post-Dobbs Era" which looks into the implications on reproductive health in the post-Dobbs era.

Future Aspirations

Sarah is currently interning with the Dearborn Department of Public Health, where she is working on a law enforcement seizure training initiative and developing critical policy deliverables. She plans to pursue a JD and an MPH  to further explore the intersections between legal and public health systems.

“My academic passion drives me to pursue a dual degree, aiming to expand this area of study for future law students and contribute meaningfully to legal education,” Sarah explained. “The intersection of public health and law fascinates me, particularly in areas like health policy, reproductive health and reproductive rights, and healthcare equity. I am especially drawn to public interest law, where law and public health converge — advocating for stronger healthcare legislation, reproductive rights, and ethical medical policies.”

In the long term, Sarah aspires to become a legal academic, teaching, conducting research, and helping shape future legal minds. “My undergraduate experiences have not only prepared me for this challenging path but also reinforced my commitment to a career that bridges law, public health, and academia,” she said.