Dr. Jaci VanHeest, Professor in the Neag School of Education at UConn is also the Faculty Director of Public Health House.  She received her undergraduate degree from Hope College, Holland Michigan in Physical Education and completed her M.S. in Exercise Physiology and Ph.D. in Exercise Endocrinology at Michigan State University. Dr. VanHeest completed two Post-Doctoral fellowships; one at the University of Cincinnati in Protein Chemistry and Membrane Transport and the second at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Body Weight Regulation, Obesity and Pediatrics. She currently investigates a before school activity intervention in overweight children, examining the physical, hormonal and metabolic outcomes.  Dr. VanHeest has been the Faculty Director of Public Health House for 5 years.

Dr. VanHeest is not alone in her work with Public Health House.  Dan Clark joined Public Health House as a Graduate Assistant in 2014.  Dan received his undergraduate degree in Psychology and Economics from Utah State University and his M.A. in Psychology-Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Maryland and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where he worked as a behavioral therapist and researcher, primarily working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. He is currently enrolled in the Educational Psychology program at UConn. His research and clinical work so far at UConn involves changing diagnostic assessments to better assess children with severe intellectual disabilities to better inform intervention.  Dan's interest and background are what makes his connection to Public Health House a natural one.

Public Health House enables students to expand their understanding and interest in community service, public health, education and advocacy. Through active, informed, and problem-based learning, students augment their understanding of public policy, public health as a profession and their role within the public health field.  This year Public Health House students participate in many service-based activities such as Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, Tre-County ARC and The Village Center.  They have also hosted a series of different activities and programs during National Public Health Week which took place in the beginning of April.  It is with Dr. VanHeest's continued contributions and dedication to Public Health House that has made the community so successful.  Many students can attest to the strength of the community, and the tremendous support they have felt as they transitioned into life as a student at UConn.

"As a timid freshman coming into a big campus, Public Health House (PHH) provided me with the community feeling within a large university like UConn. It is through PHH that I have made friendships that I will treasure forever, done service that I will always remember, and grown into the person I am today. PHH has given me a chance to step out of my comfort zone and grow as a leader in a tight-knit community in which making a positive impact on members is priority. It has also inspired me to step into other leadership positions around campus, and encourage others to do the same. Without PHH, my freshman year at UConn would have been extremely different and I will always treasure our community." - Codi Bierce, PHH Student

"Public Health House has been more than a group of students with common interests. It has been an active and engaging environment that seeks to better our community, locally and across the nation. It has been a catalyst for new opportunities and friendships. It has helped me grow as an individual and as a member of a society that needs change - Public Health House is that change."- Cameron Flower, PHH Student