Two New Scholars Join Hostos’ Prestigious NextGen Public Health Scholars Program with Columbia University

 Hostos Community College is proud to announce that students Deneisha Noble and Anjanet Kamara have been selected as the newest members of the NextGen Public Health Scholars 2+2+2 Program, a transformative initiative in partnership with the Columbia School of General Studies and the Mailman School of Public Health that advances student scholars on a direct pathway from an associate degree at Hostos to a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Public Health at Columbia. The program, which was launched with funds donated by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, focuses on developing the next generation of public health leaders committed to equity, advocacy, and systemic change and has also received the support of Congressman Ritchie Torres, who directed $1 million to its further development in 2024.
 
“It is so inspiring, and humbling, to see young women like Deneisha Noble and Anjanet Kamara, who have endured so much and worked so hard, receive this life-changing recognition and support in pursuit of their dreams, said Hostos President, Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis. “And what makes it even more wonderful is that they are doing it all in the name of improving the lives of others and providing equity in healthcare for those who might otherwise never have it. I’m so proud of them both. We all are, and we can’t wait to see all the good they will do. Bravi!” 
 
Sofía Oviedo, Hostos’ Director of Research Programs and the College’s key liaison in the NextGen Scholars Program initiative, is pleased with the selection.


"I am elated with the selection of the new NextGen Public Health Scholars, Deneisha Noble and Anjanet Thomas, two exemplary students who have demonstrated tenacity and resilience in overcoming major challenges as they pursue their education,” she said. “Both students have a strong commitment to improving the health of our communities, and with the support and resources provided through our program, they will make important contributions as public health leaders and practitioners."
   
For Deneisha Noble, the journey from Jamaica to New York was more than a move; it was the beginning of a mission. Diagnosed with lupus at 11, on dialysis by 15, and the recipient of a life-saving kidney transplant before 21, Noble’s lived experience with healthcare inequities shaped her commitment to improving patient care. Now a Registered Nurse at Montefiore Einstein, she is balancing her career with her education, determined to advocate for systemic reform in healthcare. Noble joined Hostos in January 2021 on the advice of her kidney transplant director — a Hostos alumnus — who recognized the College as a place of opportunity. At Hostos, Noble found an environment that nurtured her ambition and supported her unique challenges.
 
“Coming from a country where disability rights aren’t fully recognized, I was amazed at how much support I received from my professors and the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC). It made all the difference,” said Noble.
 
Through the 2+2+2 program, Noble plans to leverage her education to address healthcare disparities in the Bronx and her native Jamaica. One of her long-term goals is to establish a national transplant system in Jamaica. “Public health is about creating structures that serve people’s long-term well-being. I want to build those systems for my community here in the Bronx and Jamaica,” she said.
   
For her part, Anjanet Kamara’s story is one of resilience, determination, and purpose. Born in Manhattan and raised in Brooklyn and North Carolina, Kamara faced significant challenges growing up but remained determined to rebuild her life and pursue higher education. A mother of three, she returned to New York two years and a half ago, finding a fresh start in the South Bronx.
 
In 2022, after regaining her health and stability, Kamara enrolled at Hostos, where she found not only academic opportunity but also a community of support. Inspired by a public health fair she attended as extra credit for a nutrition class, Kamara discovered her calling: addressing disparities in maternal health and advocating for Black and brown women in healthcare.
 
“When I read about the [2+2+2] program, I thought, this is it. This was made for me,” Kamara said. “This isn’t just about me. This is about showing my children that no matter how hard life gets, you can always rebuild.”
 
Kamara, who will graduate from Hostos in May, plans to focus on epidemiology and maternal health at Columbia. Her dream is to open a women’s wellness center that provides culturally competent and inclusive care for women and LGBTQ+ individuals, offering support from adolescence through menopause.
 
The 2+2+2 Next Gen Public Health Scholars Program is an innovative model designed to address the critical shortage of diverse public health professionals by providing a streamlined, supported pathway from an associate degree through a master’s in Public Health. Hostos’ participation ensures that talented students from the Bronx and neighboring communities are represented in the next generation of public health leaders.
 
NextGen Public Health Scholars receive full tuition coverage, a stipend, and a personal laptop computer. They also get mentoring, tutoring and enrichment designed to build a strong academic foundation. While at Columbia, NextGen Scholars will have full undergraduate and graduate tuition coverage, a stipend, academic support and guidance, special seminars, and a complete course of study focused on humanities, sciences, social sciences, epidemiology and public health practice.
 
As Noble and Kamara prepare for their next chapters at Columbia University, their achievements underscore Hostos Community College’s role as a bridge to opportunity, and as a launchpad for leaders who will transform public health systems locally and globally.