Hollie Hagan grew up in Grayson County knowing she wanted to help people, but discovering her calling required an unexpected turn. What began as interest in nutrition and dietetics shifted dramatically during her senior year of high school when she interned at the Grayson County Health Department.

"I had no clue what a health department does or even what public health was," Hagan said in an article published by University of Kentucky News. "Then I got there and saw all the ways they were helping people, both directly and indirectly. I thought, 'This is something I really want to be a part of.'"

Today, Hagan is a Bachelor of Public Health student at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, where she combines classroom learning with leadership opportunities in student government and the Rural Public Health Scholars Program. She is also enrolled in the Lewis Honors College.

The Rural Public Health Scholars Program, launched by UK's College of Public Health in May 2025, reflects a broader effort to address critical workforce shortages in rural Kentucky. The program integrates service learning, community partnerships and hands-on experience to expose students to the unique dynamics of rural public health, including limited access to healthcare providers and higher rates of chronic disease.

Hagan has taken on roles moderating public health panels through the Big Blue Public Health Illumination Seminar and serving as a College of Public Health senator. Her commitment to rural health remains unwavering, even as she progresses through her degree.

"I've realized that with public health you can make an impact on any level," Hagan said. "For me, I want to be at the local level helping people."

This dedication to serving her home region reflects a pattern seen among participants in the Rural Public Health Scholars Program. Previous graduates have similarly committed to returning to rural areas to improve health access and outcomes, strengthening the pipeline of public health professionals dedicated to addressing Kentucky's most underserved communities.