Elise Hill

#PolicyProfile: Elise Hill MPA ’22

Apr 01 2022
By Brittany N. Murray
Source Princeton School of Public and International Affairs

“I am active-duty military; I went to the Air Force Academy for my undergraduate studies and then moved back home to Iowa afterward, where I attended the University of Iowa for medical school. I'm currently a general surgery resident at the University of California, Davis, and I’m using my research time to pursue the Master in Public Policy (MPP) degree at SPIA.

Elise Hill

I started the program in the fall, and it’s given me a fund of knowledge to draw from. When I was considering what degree to pursue, I knew I wanted it to be policy-involved.

While I have practical health knowledge, I appreciate the historical rooting of knowing how we got to this point, the complex relationship of race in this country, and why things are so difficult to change.
Elise Hill

My research interests lie in how broader public policy affects social determinants of health, downstream, because all forms of policy — from housing to immigration policy — affect the health of our communities. I’m exploring this more deeply at SPIA, which is one of the only schools in the country that offers a yearlong MPP program.

This place has become really special to me because it brings together a collection of incredible individuals — diverse in background, expertise, and opinion — with a common goal of advancing the world toward a brighter future. The unmatched financial support also gives a vital voice to those that may otherwise be left out of such an environment, illuminating the path for other institutions aiming to foster an inclusive experience that equally values all voices.”

At SPIA, We Care

Our Community

We are committed to ensuring that all members of our diverse community feel respected, supported, and valued both inside and outside the classroom. We seek to strengthen the capacity of our students to promote equity and foster inclusion while here and in the broader world.