After touring Boise State University during her senior year of high school, Elizabeth Cardoza, an SPPH Health Studies student, immediately fell in love with the campus and community. Originally from Roseville, California, Cardoza knew this new community would welcome her and help her grow her love for healthcare.
Cardoza will graduate with her Bachelor of Science in Health Studies degree this spring. Read on to learn more about Cardoza, her studies and the community activities that impacted her time at Boise State.
Q:What originally brought you to Boise State and the School of Public and Population Health?
A: The sense of community and opportunity for growth. I immediately fell in love with Boise State when I toured it my senior year of high school. I knew that this would be the best decision I could make for my future.
I chose SPPH because my dream has always been to be in healthcare, and I knew that this school would help me achieve that dream. SPPH has helped me grow as an individual both academically and personally, and for that, I will be forever grateful.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about your studies?
A: The connections that I have made with not only my peers, but all of the professors and faculty who have supported me along the way. Starting fall 2022, when I took my first health class with Dr. Jaime Sand, I knew that I made the right decision choosing this major.
Fast forward to spring 2026, I’m completing my final health class with the same professor, who has unconditionally supported my academic endeavors.
I have also thoroughly enjoyed the friendships I have made through this experience, and I attribute the person I’ve become to those whom I’ve met.
Q: What extracurricular activities have you been involved in that made an impact on your undergraduate experience?
A: During my time at Boise State, I was involved in the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, where I served two terms on the executive board. Being involved in Greek life has been nothing short of rewarding, as it’s helped me grow as a leader and community member. I wanted to give back to a community that had given so much to me.
During this time, I worked with the WCA to spread awareness about our philanthropy, domestic violence awareness. I collaborated with them to organize philanthropic events, in which we fundraised and educated fellow community members about this cause. I’ve continued my involvement through my senior year, where I hope to continue my involvement post-graduation as well.
My capstone project has also given me the opportunity to view public health from a different scope, and research a topic that I’m passionate about. I completed a pilot-study on “Promoting Understanding of Neurodivergency in Children,” in which I aimed to educate families on neurodivergent children. Having seen firsthand how misunderstood and stigmatized this topic can be, I wanted to help create change through accessible educational materials. I created a broadly defined handout, which I distributed to families at a pediatric clinic, and collected data through a HIPAA-compliant survey. After completing this project, I was able to examine the discrepancies in proper education materials, and how I can implement this knowledge into my future healthcare practices.
Q: How has your time in your program broadened your outlook on health or the health industry?
A: This program has significantly broadened my outlook on health and the health industry, as I’ve learned how many moving pieces there are in this system. I remember taking HLTH 315, and learning about how the policy and ethics in this industry are so intricate, which I believe has helped prepare me for my future career. I even learned about health and aging, where I was able to expand my knowledge about how to care for our aging population, which is a crucial and sometimes underrated piece of healthcare.
This program has also helped guide my career path, as I’ve realized I enjoy direct, hands-on patient care, which has influenced my decision in pursuing nursing. All of the courses I’ve taken have made an impact on my outlook in one way or another, and I am excited to utilize this post-graduation.
Q: What are you most looking forward to post-graduation (a job, travel, grad school, etc)?
A: I am thoroughly looking forward to continuing my education and receiving a second bachelor’s degree in Nursing. My current job as pediatric medical assistant has reinforced my passion for patient care, and inspired me to return to school to become a nurse. My dream is to work in pediatric inpatient care, or the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), as I’ve always had an admiration for this speciality. I’m eager to see where life takes me, and I thank Boise State for giving me the best four years I could’ve asked for.