Purdue Global supplements hands-on clinical experience with Kenyan students, prepares them to become public health leaders

Graduates Sharon Aranga and Benson Njuguna use experience, knowledge gained in Purdue Global classes to give back to their communities in Kenya

Benson Njuguna and Sharon Aranga pose for a photo while attending Purdue Global’s commencement ceremony.

Purdue Global graduates Benson Njuguna and Sharon Aranga are meeting the needs of their community in Kenya thanks to partnerships and education received in the public health degree program. (Purdue Global photo/Kelsey Lefever)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Sharon Aranga has always been passionate about helping people. Recognizing a need for more public health workers in her home country of Kenya, she decided to make a career out of her passion.

“I like helping people and seeing the sick get better,” said Aranga, a 2024 Purdue Global graduate.

This desire to make a difference in the health sector led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Nairobi, followed by a master’s in clinical pharmacy from Moi University. Purdue University College of Pharmacy faculty have been working with Kenyan partners, including Moi University, since 2004.

After gaining extensive clinical experience, Aranga recognized the growing need for public health knowledge to complement her clinical skills, especially in addressing health disparities in underserved populations. This led her to Purdue Global’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program.

Similarly, fellow 2024 Purdue Global graduate and Kenya native Benson Njuguna shares a passion for public health — one fueled by personal experience.

“I’ve been interested in the health sciences since I was a young boy,” Njuguna said. “My grandfather suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and I wanted to help him. His encouragement and belief in my education were key drivers for my success.”

Aranga and Njuguna, along with seven others from Kenya, are the first to graduate as part of a partnership between Purdue Global, Purdue University’s College of Pharmacy and the Kenyan government through the Academic Model for Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program.

A global focus

The collaboration represents a significant step forward in global public health education. This partnership has created an opportunity for Kenyan pharmacists to earn an MPH while continuing to work in their respective roles.

“This collaboration and inclusion of Kenyan pharmacists in our MPH program highlights Purdue Global’s commitment to fostering impactful global partnerships, driving innovation in public health and shaping a healthier future for communities worldwide,” said Chris Gallucci, department chair for Purdue Global’s public health and health education and promotion programs.

“Purdue Global’s Master of Public Health perfectly complements the rigorous experiential education and training Kenyan pharmacists receive through the partnership with Moi University and Purdue University,” said Sonak Pastakia, professor of pharmacy practice in Purdue’s College of Pharmacy. “It has also allowed us to promote equity between our U.S. and Kenyan trainees as both now have access to the vital training Purdue Global provides through their flexible online format.”

By focusing on expanding public health knowledge alongside clinical pharmacy expertise, the program aims to tackle pressing health challenges in Kenya and improve overall health outcomes in underserved communities.

“The investment by Purdue Global in these students has a multiplier effect as they will utilize many of the newly acquired public health skills to serve populations experiencing poverty,” Pastakia said. “Through their work in the Kenyan public sector, these pharmacists get to immediately use this training during and after their graduation. While their clinical training focuses on teaching them how to serve the individual patients they encounter through their practice, the MPH training helps them become leaders who design and implement programs that teach them to manage other health care providers who can work together to provide comprehensive care under their leadership.”

A new path forward for Kenyan pharmacists

The MPH program’s flexible online format allowed Aranga to continue working as a clinical pharmacist while pursuing her studies.

“My experience was exceptional,” Aranga said. “It was my first online course, and I found it very seamless and professional. Navigating the Purdue Global online classroom was easy, and accessing materials was never a challenge.”

Aranga and Njuguna credited the professors’ expertise, innovation and creativity with enhancing their learning experience.

“The lecturer used innovative ways to teach, which made learning more enjoyable,” Njuguna said. “For example, we played games to learn about various topics, which helped us understand key concepts in a fun and engaging way.”

The Purdue Global MPH program has provided Aranga, Njuguna and their classmates with an invaluable opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge in public health, equipping them with the tools to address pressing health challenges in their communities.

“The partnership’s success underscores the importance of providing accessible, flexible education to health care professionals in lower-resource settings, ensuring that they are equipped to meet the challenges of global health,” said Rebecca Zolotor, dean of Purdue Global’s School of Health Sciences. “The inclusion of these students enriches the experience for other Purdue Global students by including a perspective that most current Purdue Global students wouldn’t have.”

With a strong foundation in clinical pharmacy and now public health, graduates of this program, like Aranga and Njuguna, are well positioned to lead efforts in improving health equity, influencing policy and conducting impactful research in Kenya and beyond.

Aranga aspires to work with international health institutions such as the World Health Organization or nongovernmental groups focused on population health.

“This degree will open doors to a wide range of fulfilling career paths,” Aranga said. “I aim to build resilient health systems in low-resource settings and advocate for vulnerable populations.”

Njuguna’s goals now that he has earned his MPH are focused on advancing public health practice through research and policy.

“My goal is to contribute to public health research and translate those findings into policy and practice,” Njuguna said. “I want to enhance population health research and help bridge the gap between research and real-world application.”

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.

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