Chidimma Okoli is a student at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. Okoli is a Graduate Research Assistant, Instructor of Record Campus pantry volunteer, and Swipe Out Hunger Tabling volunteer.
As a 4th-year Epidemiology PhD student, her academic work and service experiences have centered on improving college student health outcomes, particularly in relation to food insecurity, mental health, and behavioral health disparities among minority populations, including international students and student parents. Below she shares her thoughts on receiving the 2026 Student Travel Award and attending the ACHA Annual Meeting in Denver.
1. How did your ACHF scholarship to attend the ACHA Annual Meeting help your academic and professional growth?
The ACHF scholarship made it possible for me to attend my first ACHA Annual Meeting as a doctoral student studying college health. My dissertation focuses on food insecurity, behavioral health, and chronic disease risk among college students, and attending the conference allowed me to learn directly from researchers, practitioners, and student affairs professionals working to improve student well-being across the country. The experience strengthened my understanding of current issues in college health, introduced me to new perspectives and methodologies, and helped me build meaningful professional connections that will inform both my dissertation and future career. As an early-career researcher, having the opportunity to participate in these conversations was invaluable.
2. What was the most impactful experience you had at the ACHA Annual Meeting?
The most impactful part of the meeting was connecting with professionals who are translating research into real-world action on college campuses. As researchers, we often spend a great deal of time working with data, but this conference reminded me of the people behind those numbers. Hearing discussions about student mental health, food insecurity, resilience, and health equity reinforced the importance of conducting research that is both rigorous and practical. I left feeling inspired by the collaborative nature of the college health community and energized about the potential for my own work to contribute to meaningful change for students.
3. What would you share to encourage ACHA members who are considering making a gift to the Foundation?
Your support has a direct and lasting impact on students and early-career professionals. For many of us, attending the Annual Meeting would not be possible without scholarship support. Beyond helping with travel expenses, these awards create opportunities to learn from leaders in the field, develop professional networks, gain confidence, and envision our future contributions to college health. Your generosity is an investment in the next generation of researchers, practitioners, and advocates, and I am grateful to be one of the many individuals whose professional growth has been strengthened because of it.
Help Us Create More Opportunities for Students!
Support our efforts to promote student engagement in ACHA and the field of college health and well-being by donating to the Murray DeArmond Student Activity Fund!
