Student profile with Temitope Sufianu

If you’ve been looking for a way to make a difference in the world, it’s time to consider Kansas State University Olathe. 

Temitope Sufianu is a K-State Olathe student who recently received her Master of Public Health. With a strong history in caring for others – including serving as a nurse in Swaziland, Southern Africa – Temitope wanted to acquire additional skills and knowledge she can use to continue making a difference in the world

The Master of Public Health program at K-State Olathe is designed to provide learners with the opportunities, skills and tools they need to better address health issues at the local, state, national and international levels.  

Students can choose from two areas of emphasis: food safety and biosecurity or infectious disease and zoonoses. Both provide graduate-level education to individuals currently employed in or anticipating a career in the public health field. 

Temitope was kind enough to talk with K-State Olathe about the Master of Public Health program – and what she hopes to do next.

Q: You have an incredible background in the medical field. What first drew you to health care as a profession? 

A: It was my calling. It was my nature. I had some hard experiences early on in life, including losing my mom. Health care is something that fate brought my way. I knew it was going to play a huge role in my life. 

Q: What’s your favorite thing that you’ve learned while studying for your Master of Public Health? 

A: Public health is for the people. It's meant for those who want to change the world, meant for those who want to make an impact. Looking at my background, my exposure, my profession and the future that I hold, it’s clear that public health is a good fit for me and the changes I want to make in the future. 

It’s not strange at all. A fish doesn’t struggle in the water. 

Q: Who should pursue a degree in public health? 

A: A student who has a big heart for people. They should not choose this because of the money. If we use money as the criteria, we’re going to get sad. A student has to have a big heart. People first.  

Q: What’s something special you’ve discovered about K-State Olathe? 

A: The students and the staff really come together to make it special. My supervisor has been incredible. Kim Voight, the director of student services, has made a big difference. I see the spirit of health supporting students and the staff as I came into the program. Anytime I’m stranded, I know I can get help. The support system is very strong. 

Q: What’s one thing you would tell potential K-State students who want to make a difference in the world? 

A: I have three words for them: direction, focus and encourage. 

First, make sure you get on the right path: the right direction. When challenges come, because you’re on the right path, you’ll be fine. It’s when you don’t have the right direction that life becomes complicated. 

Next, I want them to be very focused. Without being focused we just become lost, so being focused is the key point. 

Third, encourage. Students need to encourage themselves. When life gets tough, we get going, and yeah, I think with direction, strong focus, and determination and encouragement, anybody can make it. 

Temitope is a believer of lifelong learning. Now that she has graduated, she plans to look for opportunities to continue learning and making a difference in the world. 

This program is supported with funding provided by the Johnson County Education Research Triangle.