MSW Student Finds Her Calling at the Intersection of Social Work and Public Health
Katie Bisaha, a second-year MSW/MPH dual degree student at Rutgers School of Social Work, is living proof that a following a nontraditional path can lead to powerful, purpose-driven work. With a background in culinary arts and a bachelor's degree in nutrition and food science, Katie’s journey began in health and wellness but quickly expanded to encompass a wide range of public health issues, including nutrition education, food security, mental health, substance use prevention, and adverse childhood experiences.
Today, Katie is bringing it all together through her studies at Rutgers School of Social Work and her work at the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI). There, she supports the Mayors Wellness Campaign, helping towns design programs that improve local health outcomes. She also contributes to the Children’s Mental Health Mapping Project, a statewide initiative examining how families access care and where systems can be improved.
“It’s exciting to know our work will lead to real recommendations,” Katie shared. “We’re not just collecting data. We’re creating a roadmap for change.”
Katie initially planned to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH), but her supervisor, Julie DeSimone, a Rutgers School of Social Work alum, encouraged her to explore social work. That advice changed everything.
“The more I learned, the more it clicked,” Katie said. “Social work gave me the clinical and systems perspective I was craving. I didn’t have to choose between helping individuals and transforming the structures they navigate. I could do both.”
Seeking an MSW program that offers students flexibility, Katie landed at Rutgers School of Social Work. “The professors bring a wide range of experiences, and Rutgers has a large footprint that opens doors for collaboration and growth,” she said. “The opportunities I have had through Rutgers have already shaped the areas I have worked in and set me up for success.”
That balance is at the heart of Katie’s calling. In her free time, she volunteers with the Highland Park Food Pantry, helping to expand access to grants and resources. She's also passionate about challenging patriarchal norms and promoting emotional well-being for men and boys—work inspired by the writings of bell hooks.
“We don’t talk enough about how patriarchy harms men too,” Katie said. “Feminism can be a healing force. I want to help shift that conversation and build healthier, more emotionally connected communities.”
Balancing her responsibilities as a full-time employee, full-time student, and active community volunteer is no small feat, but Katie embraces the pace.
“I like to say ADHD is my superpower,” she said. “I thrive when I have a lot going on. And I’m incredibly lucky to have a partner who helps keep me grounded and supported through it all.”
After graduation, Katie plans to pursue licensure as an LCSW and provide therapeutic services to men, boys, and individuals with eating disorders. Meanwhile, she remains committed to systems change and envisions herself working on state or local policies that improve access to care and reduce disparities.
Looking ahead, Katie hopes to see social workers take on an even greater leadership role in public life.
“Social workers belong in every room where decisions are made,” she said. “We bring a perspective that centers the people most affected by those decisions. Whether it's policy, clinical work, or community development, we should be shaping the future of care.”
