The SPH-B Alumni Mentorship Program connects current undergraduate students with alumni of the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington to foster meaningful relationships that support career exploration, personal growth, and professional development. This program is designed to help students build confidence, gain insights, and develop lasting connections with those who have walked the path before them.
Led by IU alumnus and Professor of Clinical Practice, Dr. David Hormuth, and facilitated by faculty member, Dr. Danny Valdez, the mentorship program begins with five interactive learning sessions. These sessions introduce students to the value of mentorship and provide practical strategies for building and sustaining mentor relationships throughout their careers. Upon completing the sessions and receiving a certificate of completion, each student is thoughtfully paired with an alumni mentor to begin their one-on-one mentoring journey.
To make this program a success, we need dedicated alumni mentors who are eager to give back and guide the next generation of public health professionals. Your experience, insights, and encouragement can make a lasting impact on a student’s life—and you may find the experience just as rewarding!
As a mentor, your role is simple but powerful. We ask that you:
Dr. David Hormuth is a Cardiothoracic Transplant Surgeon with over 30 years of experience and a deep passion for mentoring. An Indiana native and proud IU alum, Dr. Hormuth holds degrees from the IU School of Optometry, IU School of Medicine, and the Kelley School of Business and currently serves on the Board of Trustees. He has held numerous leadership roles in healthcare and education including as a Professor of Clinical Practice at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington.
Dr. Danny Valdez is a big data scientist, primarily leveraging social media data and computational informatics algorithms to study, visualize, and interpret applied health behaviors, including mental health markers from social media data, persuasive digital marketing, sexual health attitudes, and misinformation's effect on positive health outcomes. Dr. Valdez is pleased to serve as a Faculty Fellow for the SPH-B Mentorship Program.
If you're an SPH-B or HPER alum interested in becoming a mentor, we'd love to hear from you. Your time, experience, and support can help students take their first steps toward a meaningful career in public health. Please email us at sphbalum@iu.edu.
