Together, Let's Promote Health and Build a Stronger Community
Get Involved with Zuckerman Family Center
Gain meaningful, hands-on experience in health education, health promotion, and public health research, with a special focus on adolescent health and lifestyle-based chronic disease prevention.
While most opportunities are designed for public health undergraduate and graduate students, we also collaborate with students across the University of Arizona, including College of Science (Psychology), College of Medicine (Physiology), College of Social & Behavioral Sciences (Human Development and Family Science), College of Nutritional Science. We welcome any student who shares an interest in promoting health and improving lives.
Our opportunities include internships, applied practice experiences, student worker positions, research and graduate assistantships, volunteer roles, honors theses, practicums, and independent studies. Each experience offers a chance to learn, grow, and contribute to a healthier future.
Connect With Us
Please reach out to the contact listed for your program of interest to learn more or complete our Interest Form to get started.
If you are interested in Honors Thesis, Independent Student, or Research or Graduate Assistantships please email our center's Director, Dr. David Garcia at davidogarcia@arizona.edu.
Student Worker Positions
Our student worker positions are currently filled. When new opportunities become available, we'll share announcements in our newsletter and post updates here on our website. Be sure to check back during the Spring semesters for openings and sign-up for our newsletter to stay updated.
Public Health Field Experiences
Healthy 2B Me is a dynamic summer wellness program designed for children ages 7-11. The program inspires healthy lifestyle through engaging lessons and activities that promote nutrition, physical activity, sun safety, self-care, financial literacy and kindness.
Interns play a key role in brining this program to life, gaining valuable experience in planning and facilitating health education sessions, collaborating with community partners, and creating meaningful learning experiences that encourage children to build lifelong healthy habits.
Eligibility:
- Must be available during the summer program period.
- Must have reliable transportation to and from the program site.
- Eligible students may earn HPS 493A or HPS 493B credit.
- Can satisfy MPH Applied Practice Experience Requirement (leadership role)
If you have any questions, please contact Health Educator, Sr., Elsa Loya at eloya1@arizona.edu or (520) 621-0767.
Through our partnership with Lapan College and Career Club (LC3) in South Tucson, interns support middle and high school students through after-school programs like soccer club, art club, pet therapy, and garden club (El Jardin). Together, we create opportunities for learning and growth, helping students build skills while integrating a strong focus on health and wellness.
Eligibility:
- Commitment to both fall and spring semesters
- Must have reliable transportation to and from the program site.
- Weekly on-site availability Monday - Thursday, ranging from 2:00 - 6:00 PM
- Eligible students may earn HPS 493A or HPS 493B credit.
- Can satisfy MPH Applied Practice Experience Requirement (leadership role)
If you have any questions, please contact Health Educator, Sr., Elsa Loya at eloya1@arizona.edu or (520) 621-0767.
Healthy Schools Tucson is a health education program dedicated to helping middle school students at Saint Peter and Paul Catholic School build lifelong healthy habits through lessons in nutrition, physical activity, and overall wellness. Interns play a vital role by teaching interactive lessons, engaging with students and gaining hands-on experience in public health education within the school setting.
Eligibility:
- Must have reliable transportation to and from the program site.
- Eligible students may earn HPS 493A or HPS 493B credit.
- Commitment to both fall and spring semesters
If you have any questions, please contact Health Educator, Sr., Sabrina Plattner at plattner@arizona.edu.
Our ongoing partnership with St. John's After-School Program in South Tucson provides a meaningful opportunity for interns to design and deliver weekly lessons to 50-60 elementary-aged children each Wednesday afternoon. Each session blends nutrition, physical activity, and social-emotional learning, through creative, art-based experiences. Children enjoy a healthy snack that interns put together, connect with their peers, and dive into interactive games that make learning about wellness fun and memorable.
Eligibility:
- Commitment to both fall and spring semesters
- Must have reliable transportation to and from the program site.
- Eligible students may earn HPS 493A or HPS 493B credit.
If you have any questions, please contact Health Educator, Sr., Sabrina Plattner at plattner@arizona.edu.
Wildcat Marathoners at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School provides a meaningful opportunity for interns to support a walking and running program that promotes healthy, active lifestyles for elementary-aged children. Each week, interns help children track laps, earn fitness charms as milestones, and prepare for the FitKidz race at the University of Arizona. Interns help create a fun, engaging environment where children celebrate achievements, build confidence, and develop healthy habits through physical activity, goal-setting and positive reinforcement.
Eligibility:
- Commitment to both fall and spring semesters
- Must have reliable transportation to and from program site
- Eligible students may earn HPS 493A or HPS 493B credit.
If you have any questions, please contact Health Educator, Sr., Sabrina Plattner at plattner@arizona.edu.
Yoga for Youth is a field trip based wellness program for elementary students that introduces integrative medicine and healthy lifestyle practices with hands-on activities at the University of Arizona. In partnership with the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM) and the Sunnyside Unified School District. Interns help lead wellness activities, and educational experiences alongside faculty and healthcare professionals. Through yoga, nutrition, and emotional wellness activities, interns gain valuable experience in health education, program planning and implementation.
Eligibility:
- Commitment to at least one semester (fall or spring).
- Eligible students may earn HPS 493A or HPS 493B credit.
If you have any questions, please contact Health Educator, Sr., Elsa Loya at eloya1@arizona.edu.