New Public Health Policy Champions Program Launches in South Dakota
The PHPC program is led by the University of South Dakota—South Dakota State University Master of Public Health program and the South Dakota Public Health Association, the state’s premier professional organization for public health professionals.
The inaugural cohort will include 8-10 public health leaders from across South Dakota who are interested in advancing community-driven public health policy. It will also equip public health leaders with advocacy and civic engagement skills. Furthermore, participants will engage in a combination of in-person learning, virtual training, peer learning and applied policy experiences aligned with the 2026 South Dakota Legislative Session.
“This program is designed to move public health leadership beyond theory and into practice,” said DenYelle Kenyon, Ph.D., program director of the USD—SDSU MPH program. “Participants will gain real-world experience engaging policymakers, building trust with communities and translating public health priorities into policy action.”
Program Highlights
- Two-day in-person learning experience in Pierre, from Feb. 11–12, during the legislative session, including meetings with legislators and exposure to the policymaking process.
- Weekly virtual trainings and Action Learning Lab sessions, in March and April, which are focused on civic engagement, advocacy and leadership skill-building.
- Individual learning plans tailored to each participant’s policy interests and community context.
- Presentation of learning outcomes, in May, at the South Dakota Public Health Association Annual Conference in Sioux Falls.
- Travel awards for selected participants.
The program is open to public health professionals and emerging leaders across sectors, including state, local and tribal public health agencies; community-based organizations; health care systems; higher education and related fields.
Individuals interested in applying or organizations looking to share this opportunity with their networks are invited to attend an informational kickoff webinar titled, “What Is Policy Work? State and National Perspectives from Health Care & Public Health Advocates,” that will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. CST.
The deadline for applications is Tuesday, Jan. 20, 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.
For more information, please email [email protected].
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