Mya Caverson’s (MPH ’26) graduate studies took her further than she’d ever imagined — all the way to Jamaica for a practicum where she helped children learn about dental health.

The opportunity to pursue experiential learning is part of why Caverson chose Brock’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program. The three-semester MPH program includes a practicum, offering students an opportunity to apply foundational knowledge in a variety of settings, including non-profit organizations, government, hospitals and the private sector.

“A practicum gives students the opportunity to move beyond classroom learning. By working with community partners on real health projects, students develop the critical thinking skills, confidence and professional network they need to understand where they can make a difference in the field,” said Brent Faught, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and MPH Graduate Program Director.

Mya Caverson (MPH ’26) met with dental school students and professionals in Jamaica as part of her Master of Public Health practicum.

While researching her placement options, Caverson reached out to public health professionals in the Halton region to learn more about careers in oral health promotion. Those conversations prompted an introduction to the founder of Nine Miles of Smiles (NMS), a non-profit organization that provides oral health education and dental outreach in Jamaica.

Before travelling to Jamaica in March, Caverson spent months developing a three-day oral health promoter program for Grade 6 students about the importance of oral health, proper brushing and flossing techniques, and nutrition, including affordable and culturally appropriate foods.

On the ground in Jamaica, she delivered that program in the Bella’s Gate community to nearly 30 Grade 2 to 6 students over the course of a week.

“I grew up working as a lifeguard,” she said. “I was already comfortable teaching children of all ages and tailoring my lesson plans to each child’s individual needs.”

On her final day of teaching, one of the children asked her if they could fit in her suitcase and return to Canada with her — a heartfelt moment that stayed with her to this day.

During the trip, she used a mixed-methods approach to assess programming, analyzing student quiz results alongside feedback from students, teachers and local dental professionals to identify areas of improvement in program delivery and content. Following the trip, she used the evaluation data to develop grant templates and a policy brief.

“Brock has shown true leadership in its commitment to offering its MPH students real opportunities for direct experiences,” said NMS founder Kimberly Daley. “Having a student like Mya dive into a program abroad with an established Canadian organization gives her a foothold as she embarks on this new chapter in her career. I have seen first-hand how an experience like this can be life changing and have profound effects both for the student as well as the community.”

Overall, the experience gave Caverson insight into how public health work depends on understanding communities and working alongside educators, dentists, dental hygienists, students, teachers and community members.

“While still considering dental school, I’m also exploring career opportunities across the public, private and non-profit sectors while being open to where my background might take me,” she said.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate was among the nearly 1,000 Badgers who crossed the stage on Oct. 16 during the University’s 120th Convocation.

Just before graduation, she participated in Brock’s fifth annual MPH Career Event on Oct. 14, where she gleaned valuable insights from MPH alumni about navigating diverse career paths.

“I learned to remain curious, be open to opportunities outside my comfort zone and that sometimes career paths are not linear,” she said. “Hearing this has inspired me to continue exploring my options as I take this next step in my professional journey.”