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Best of Both Worlds
Posted on Aug 05, 2025
Cindy Montgomery, PhD, a 2009 Fort Valley State University Master of Public Health (MPH) alumna, served as the public relations and social media manager for the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (PCOM) South Georgia campus in Moultrie, Georgia for two and a half years. Montgomery, a native of Doerun, Georgia, shares how her graduate degree, journalism background and higher education marketing and communications experiences, have helped her create a rewarding career where she couples her public health education and knowledge to communicate about science and the people with whom she works.
Why did you choose to pursue a Master’s in Public Health at Fort Valley State University?
“In 2004, I was working at Fort Valley State University as the publications editor in the Agricultural Communications Department. Dr. Oreta Samples encouraged me to start the program. At the time, she was in her second year in the MPH program. She expressed that agriculture ties directly into public health and was connected to my role in communications. Once I enrolled, I saw that all the issues and topics I was writing about were covered in my public health classes. Classes, like epidemiology and toxicology, provided additional insight into the agricultural issues I covered in my daily work.”
How was the program set up?
“It was face-to -face. During that time all the classes were at the Warner Robins campus in the evenings. Each class was three hours once a week. I took two or three classes a semester. It was difficult to stay awake sometimes after working all day. Also, I was a single parent at the time, but my coworkers and professors were encouraging and supportive. My son was able to take some continuing education classes for kids that were in the same building. He would take those classes and when he was done, he would slip into the back of my class until I was done. My professors understood that we worked full-time and had family obligations.”
Describe your classmates and how you connected throughout the program?
“We had textbook swaps among our group because books were expensive. We would have study sessions on weekends and work on group projects. This was before Zoom, so we would meet in person and call each other on the phone. This really set the stage for when I entered my Ph.D. program.”
Share how you interacted with professors/instructors in the MPH program?
“They were encouraging. Dr. Zimmerli was amazing. He was great about explaining how your professional experience and your studies could mesh. He knew my background was marketing and communications, and he helped me understand how marketing and communications goes right along with health behavior and promotion. I was able to do projects combining the two.”
What was your most memorable experience while matriculating through the program.
“Traveling to the wastewater treatment plant and seeing how wastewater is treated. Learning how it's cleaned and what happens to the debris that comes out of wastewater was eye-opening. It is a very scientific process. We also went to the drinking water treatment plant. I enjoyed the epidemiology class. I describe it as detective work. When COVID hit, I remember how the media outlets were trying to determine what to do. I felt like I was back in class. Having that knowledge was beneficial. We also studied health crisis management in my courses, and I applied that knowledge in my public relations role while working for a university during the COVID pandemic.”
As a communications professional at a medical college, how does your communications and public health background apply to your work?
“I use it every day. Many of our students who enter the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program have an MPH. They are surprised to find out I also have an MPH. It helps because I understand their language when they discuss public health research. Also, public health work requires communication skills. When you understand both fields, you can see the intersection. Our mission at PCOM is to help increase access to healthcare in rural areas. A big part of that is not just having doctors, but it’s also about being able to share information about emerging health issues and chronic health conditions.”
Describe how it felt to graduate with an MPH?
“I was so excited to graduate with that degree. Graduating with the MPH was the culmination of many hours of hard work and dedication. My son, my mom and my brother came to commencement. I’m a first-generation college student in my family. I was the first to earn a bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree. Earning the MPH was only possible because of my family’s support and encouragement.”
What would you say to someone interested in the MPH program at FVSU?
“It’s a great program. It’s practical and relevant. You will enjoy the knowledge and immediately be able to apply it to your profession.”
*In 2024, Cindy Montgomery earned her doctorate in communication from Regent University. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a journalism minor from Valdosta State University. Montgomery worked as a newspaper journalist for several years before beginning her career in higher education marketing and communications in July 2001. She’s also taught health, journalism, communications and public relations courses part-time. Montgomery currently serves as assistant professor of communication and media for Middle Georgia State University.
To learn more about the MPH program at FVSU, visit https://bit.ly/3XE9Ye9 .
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