Two students and a recent graduate from New Mexico State University’s public health program are combining community engagement, advocacy and public health in innovative ways through the national Vote-ER Civic Health Fellowship.
Christine Dobbin, Leslie Konesheck and Jasper Finnegan are fellows in the 2024-2025 Vote-ER Civic Health program, a nationwide initiative that trains emerging leaders to strengthen democracy through civic engagement. Guided by NMSU adjunct faculty member Holly Mata, who previously served as a Vote-ER fellow, the trio represents a growing movement recognizing voting as a social determinant of health.
“Voting directly impacts health – everything from access to clean water to the quality of our schools,” said Dobbin, who is pursuing a master’s degree in public health.
Konesheck, a dual master’s student in public health and social work, added, “Our work is nonpartisan. We want to make sure communities understand that their voices matter.”
As part of the fellowship, the trio has organized outreach campaigns across Doña Ana County and Las Cruces, including supporting local proclamations that emphasize the link between civic participation and community health. They have also engaged residents through classroom talks, legislative committee meetings and community events such as the Healthy Democracy Campaign and local Pride activities.
“Our fellowship gives us tools and coaching to organize, advocate and educate,” said Dobbin, who also works with Healthy Climate New Mexico. “It’s exciting to see people realize that civic engagement goes beyond voting – giving public comment, attending meetings and sharing their perspectives all make communities healthier.”
The Vote-ER Civic Health Fellowship, supported by professionals and students nationwide, equips participants with organizing strategies and mentorship from civic health coaches Konesheck said. Fellows compete in the Healthy Democracy Campaign, earning recognition for activities that promote voter registration and community involvement.
“This experience has shown me how accessible local government really is,” said Finnegan, a recent graduate of the public health master’s program and board member of Southern New Mexico Pride. “You don’t have to wait for national politics – change starts when you show up locally.”
Rebecca Pearson, head of NMSU’s Department of Public Health Sciences in the College of Health, Education and Social Transformation, said the department supports student-driven community engagement.
“These students exemplify what we and New Mexico want to see in the public health professionals we prepare,” she said, “and they are clearly making excellent use of the training provided to them through classes in our department.”
Pearson added that public health, at its roots, is about community and the strategies that help ensure communities can have the health and quality of life they want.
“Voting is one of those strategies,” she said. “I am proud to see our students activating themselves as professionals who care about increasing voter participation.”
Jagdish Khubchandani, a professor of public health at NMSU, also praised the students for using their training beyond the classroom.
“Public health isn’t just about disease prevention. It’s about empowering people to shape the policies that affect their lives,” Khubchandani said. “These students are engaging with communities that are often least likely to vote and most affected by public health decisions.
As their fellowship concludes this fall, the students plan to continue civic engagement work through a new Vote-ER chapter at NMSU, ensuring future cohorts of students can connect health and democracy on campus and beyond.
To learn more about the fellowship, visit https://vot-er.org/fellowship/.