The new Master of Public Health program launched successfully last week with an Oct. 10 gathering on the Twin Cities Campus, which included a number of community leaders from state, county, health sector, and nonprofit organizations. The event featured guest speakers Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County commissioner, who has been instrumental in working toward a strategy for the nearby Hiawatha Avenue homeless encampment and is part of the Hennepin County workforce initiative. In addition, Megan Nieto, president of Community Health Worker Solutions, spoke about the grassroots organization that advocates health services for at-risk populations and for the health workers that serve them. They stressed the importance of this program launch and the need to understand persistent and emerging public health issues and teach students to advocate for systemic solutions, including addressing health disparity in all communities. Dr. Farhiya Farah is the Master of Public Health program director. The creation of this program is a response to Priority 4 – Achieve growth in the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs through innovation and disruption of the model.