Erlande Fevrier

It didn’t take long for public health major Erlande Fevrier to understand how public health professionals influence community well-being. Through courses such as Social Determinants of Health and Global Health, she learned how identifying community needs can lead to impactful initiatives that prevent disease and promote long-term health.

“I appreciate that public health is rooted in humanity, combining advocacy, politics and research and driven by the opportunity to prevent illnesses,” says Fevrier.

Hailing from Arniquet, Haiti, Fevrier was drawn to UMass Lowell’s strong reputation in the health sciences, its inclusiveness and supportive faculty — all at an affordable cost.

“UMass Lowell is a place where I feel seen, respected and encouraged as both a Black woman and a proud Haitian woman committed to uplifting my community through public health,” she says. “I feel valued not only as a student, but for my cultural identity and lived experiences.”

In her junior year, Fevrier gained work experience at an internship with the Office of Outreach and Prevention at Medford City Hall. She connected residents with health resources, created surveys and analyzed community data. One of her most meaningful contributions was developing a survey about how learning English as a second language affects a person’s mental health. 

“This work highlighted the emotional and psychological toll that language barriers can create, especially for immigrants adapting to a new environment,” says Fevrier, who speaks English, French and Haitian Creole. 

Through these experiences, she strengthened her communication skills, built confidence in public speaking and gained a deeper understanding of the social and structural barriers faced by underserved populations.

Fevrier has also worked part time as a certified nursing assistant at Advocate Healthcare of East Boston. 

After graduation, she plans to continue working to address the root causes of health inequities.