#UMNMCH student Lauryn Magwaro (MPH 2027) reflects on how her deployment with the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) in North Minneapolis has deepened her interest in community health and maternal and child health (MCH). In this reflection, she shares how her experience with NAZ bridged her academic training and personal passions, highlighting how a NAZ scholarship is supporting her journey to doula certification.

My interest in MCH stems from my desire to improve health outcomes for women, children and families, particularly those from underserved communities. Over the past two years, participating in Kenyan community health fairs has helped me develop a strong interest in community engagement and the role of public health in addressing local needs. These experiences have shown me the importance of accessible health education, community partnerships and meeting people where they are. They have also influenced my decision to pursue an MPH in MCH, where I can build the skills to address health inequities through community-based and public health approaches. It was through this program I was connected with Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) in North Minneapolis through a Center deployment opportunity. 

During my deployment with NAZ, I had the opportunity to learn from an organization that works collaboratively with children and families to support educational success and family well-being. NAZ uses a two-generation approach, recognizing the importance of supporting children and their caregivers. Through coaching, family support and connections to community resources, NAZ works to address some of the broader challenges affecting a family’s stability and a child’s development.

My deployment was primarily an opportunity to observe, listen and learn about the organization’s work. By attending team meetings, I gained insight into how NAZ staff and community partners collaborate, share information and respond to the needs of families. These meetings helped me understand the importance of communication and coordination across organizations, especially when addressing complex issues that extend beyond one service provider. I was also able to hear partners discuss state investigations into daycare centers (in January of 2026) and the potential effects on partner organizations, families and the broader community. This conversation highlighted how changes in policies and systems have consequences reaching far beyond the organizations directly involved.

Another important part of my deployment was learning about the Rapid Survey Project, offered through the Sanford Center on Early Childhood and how stakeholder interviews can be used to better understand community needs and experiences. Learning about these approaches expanded my understanding of how organizations gather feedback and use it to inform their work. I also had the opportunity to observe classroom materials being implemented, which helped me see how program activities translate from planning into practice. These experiences reinforced the importance of considering both the perspectives of stakeholders and the realities of implementation when evaluating community-based programs.

My time with NAZ also helped me connect concepts from my MPH coursework to real-world public health practice. Courses in monitoring and evaluation have helped me understand how programs can assess their activities, identify areas for improvement and examine whether they are meeting their intended goals. My studies in MCH, epidemiology and bio statistics have also strengthened my understanding of how data and community experiences can be used together to better understand health and social outcomes. Observing NAZ’s work gave me a clearer picture of how these public health concepts  apply to organizations supporting families and children.

One of the most meaningful aspects of my deployment was gaining a deeper understanding of the many ways community organizations contribute to family well-being. My experience with NAZ also connected to a personal goal of mine: becoming a doula. I have always wanted to become a doula, so when I learned NAZ offered a scholarship opportunity to support individuals pursuing doula training, I was excited to take advantage of it and immediately sought out the opportunity. Receiving this scholarship was especially meaningful because it allowed me to take a step toward a role I have long been passionate about while further connecting my interests in MCH, community engagement and supporting families. Although my deployment was primarily informational–listening to staff and partners,  learning about community-based initiatives and observing program implementation–it gave me valuable insight into the work that goes into creating and sustaining services that support families.

Overall, my deployment with NAZ has deepened my interest in community health and reinforced my belief that improving MCH requires collaboration beyond clinical settings. It has helped me recognize the value of listening to families, understanding community priorities and supporting programs that address the broader factors influencing health and well-being. As I continue my journey in MCH, I hope to apply what I have learned through NAZ and my MPH MCH coursework to contribute to community-centered public health initiatives supporting women, children and families.

BIO

Lauryn is a second year MCH MPH student. Lauryn received her B.S. from Hamline University in 2023. 

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