Student Spotlight: Shantel Woods and the Online BS in Public Health from LSU Health New Orleans

As a Licensed Vocational Nurse, Shantel Woods has spent years seeing healthcare up close, not only through patient care, but through the systems and policies that shape it. While working on the front lines, she became increasingly aware of how public health professionals influence decisions that impact providers and patients alike. That realization led her to pursue the online Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) from the LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health, where she continues building the knowledge and confidence to advocate for healthcare workers and communities at a broader, systemic level. 

Learn more about Shantel and her journey in the online BSPH! 

Meet Shantel Woods 

What program and school are you in, and why did you choose your program? 
I am Shantel Woods, a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and a BSPH student at LSU Health New Orleans. I chose public health because while working on the front lines of healthcare, I realized that many of the decisions guiding doctors and nurses were being made by professionals with advanced training in public health. Those leaders shaped policies, protocols, and systems that directly affected patient care. I knew then that I wanted to understand that side of healthcare and be part of those conversations. 

What are your biggest challenges and how do you overcome them? 
One of my biggest challenges has been balancing full-time work, rigorous coursework, and family life as a mother of two. There were moments when the workload felt overwhelming, but I stayed grounded in my purpose. I relied on faith, time management, and the support systems LSU provided to keep going. I reminded myself that this journey was bigger than me; it was about advocacy, leadership, and impact. 

What are your favorite courses or topics? Why? 
My favorite topics in the program have been health policy, health equity, and community-based public health. These courses helped me connect my clinical experience to the broader systems that influence health outcomes. I learned how policy decisions, prevention strategies, and community engagement shape the realities nurses and physicians face every day. 

What do you appreciate most about the faculty and support services? 
What I appreciate most was the strength of the faculty and support services. My professors value real-world experience and encourage critical thinking and advocacy. As a nontraditional student, I feel supported and seen. Academic advising, scholarship support, and approachable faculty make it possible for me to succeed while managing multiple responsibilities. 

How has the program impacted your professional life? 
The BSPH program has had a profound impact on my professional life. It changed how I view healthcare; from individual patient encounters to population-level solutions. I now feel confident speaking up in professional spaces and advocating for nurses, physicians, and patients using data, policy, and evidence-based practice. 

What advice would you give to prospective students considering the program? 
To prospective students, my advice is this: don’t discount your lived experience. If you work in healthcare or care deeply about your community, public health will give you the tools and language to turn that passion into leadership. 

What are you looking forward to about using your degree in the future? 
I look forward to using my degree to influence healthcare systems, improve access and equity, and support frontline healthcare workers. I want to continue bridging the gap between clinical care and public health leadership. 

What does earning this degree mean to you personally? 
Earning this degree means resilience, growth, and purpose to me. It represents my commitment to lifelong learning and my refusal to give up no matter how challenging the journey becomes. Most importantly, it symbolizes my dedication to advocating for the public and for the nurses and doctors who serve them. 

Is there anything else you'd like us to know?  
If there is one thing I want people to know, it’s this: I will never stop advocating. Whether for patients, healthcare workers, or communities, I believe real change happens when those closest to the work have a voice; and I intend to keep using mine. 

Explore Public Health Pathways Through LSU Online 

Shantel’s experience demonstrates how online learning can support healthcare professionals who want to expand their impact beyond the bedside and into leadership, policy, and advocacy. Through LSU Online, students can explore the online Bachelor of Science in Public Health and other healthcare programs from the LSU family that are designed to fit the realities of working adults. 

By combining academic flexibility with real-world relevance, the online BS in Public Health from LSU Health New Orleans helps students deepen their expertise, amplify their voices, and prepare to create meaningful change in their communities. Learn more about the program and apply today!