Shaped by Service: How Mambwe Mutiti’s upbringing guided her path to public health
Mambwe Mutiti grew up in Zambia, where every day she saw how service could transform lives. Her father is a doctor; her mother is a nurse and some of her close relatives work in higher education. Surrounded by these examples of service, Mutiti developed a deep appreciation for learning and a desire to help others.
“I’ve always loved helping people, especially when it comes to navigating their health,” Mutiti said. “I knew a traditional clinical setting wasn’t the right fit for me, but public health felt like the closest match to my passions. I’m also deeply curious about how and why people make certain health decisions. This degree feels like the perfect blend of my interests and curiosity.”
That clarity led her to Georgia Southern University, where she completed her Master of Public Health in 2022 and will be awarded a Doctor of Public Health from the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at the Fall 2025 Commencement ceremony. Coming to Georgia Southern, Mutiti knew that she wanted more than a degree. She wanted connection and community.
“I wanted a graduate experience on a lively, engaging campus, and Georgia Southern delivered exactly that,” said the outgoing doctoral student. “From the start, I felt that the student experience here was vibrant and inclusive, no matter your classification.”
Guided by that sense of belonging, Mutiti seized opportunities to serve. She became active in the Public Health Student Association and spent two years as the community engagement chair for the Maternal and Child Health Student Interest Group. In that position, she planned events and donation drives that provided direct support to mothers and children in the Statesboro area.
“These experiences were especially meaningful to me because I excel in spaces centered on service and leadership,” she shared. “Having the opportunity to remain deeply involved on campus as a graduate student was a privilege I truly valued.”
Along with her deep commitment to community health, sustainability education became another place where Mutiti’s passion came alive. While earning her degrees at Georgia Southern, she spent three years as a graduate assistant in the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement (OLCE), helping launch the Sustain Southern program and revitalize sustainability education on the Statesboro Campus.
“The Campus Community Garden is truly my pride and joy,” she said. “Managing the space and helping meet students’ access needs brought me so much fulfillment. I managed the garden for three years, and I loved every person who came out to help, learn and grow in that space. It was one of the most meaningful parts of my time on campus.”
To Mutiti, sustainability and community health are closely interconnected. They reinforce one another, she explained, and strong sustainability practices can significantly improve a community’s overall well-being.
“My interests center on improving access to essential resources — whether related to food, medical care or social support — and sustainability plays an important role in making those resources more accessible, equitable and reliable for everyone,” she added.
Mutiti is in her fourth year in OLCE, where she has been a full-time employee since September as the sustainability and leadership coordinator. In addition to overseeing the Campus Community Garden, she manages a 12-student sustainability leadership certificate program. She noted a favorite activity “is teaching students how to make candles out of equitably sourced materials.”
The public health graduate holds a deep appreciation for Georgia Southern and the faculty who shaped her academic journey. She describes the University as “a breeding ground for success,” crediting her professors for providing consistent support and opportunities.
“The completion of the practicum gave me what I call ‘real life experience,’ allowing me to apply concepts from classes in front of real people and in real-life situations,” she said.
With commencement day approaching, Mutiti looks forward to celebrating with her family. She knows that the moment she receives her diploma, she will be filled with pride, gratitude and relief.
“I will be over the moon and completely proud of myself for doing this and being done,” she said. “That excitement of being done is a common feeling for anyone completing a doctorate or Ph.D. I’m trying to remain grounded and enjoy this accomplishment before moving on to the next task.”