Juliana George, a student-athlete at the USF College of Public Health (COPH), has mastered the art of balancing the demands of being both a public health graduate student and a member of USF's lacrosse team. With a passion for health and wellness, George has combined her education in public health with her athletic pursuits, striving to make an impact both on and off the field.
Initially, George didn’t set out to pursue a degree in public health. "I’ve always had a desire to help people and improve their lives," she said. Her academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in exercise science, and after considering nursing, she discovered the versatility of public health, which ultimately led her to the COPH’s MPH program with a concentration in health, safety and the environment.
Being an MPH student has influenced George’s approach to both health and wellness.
“Public health is such an overarching topic,” she explained. “It’s interesting how the environmental and lifestyle factors I’ve learned in class also impact us as student-athletes. The importance of mental health, stress management and prioritizing well-being on and off the field is something I really focus on now.”
Juliana George before scoring her first goal against Temple University on March 15, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Micah Banks)
George’s public health education hasn’t just stayed in the classroom—it has extended into her professional experience. Currently, she’s working as an intern with the Healthy Living program at Florida Department of Health-Hillsborough County, which offers free gym facilities, health education and exercise classes to the local community. She’s responsible for creating PowerPoint presentations and organizing group exercise classes, helping to promote better health education and physical activity across the county.
Managing a full course load while practicing and competing at a Division I level is no easy task. George credits time management as the key to balancing the demands. "Planning my days ahead of time and focusing on time management really helps," she said. "We have so many resources through the COPH and athletics, which are invaluable for staying on top of everything.”
At USF, George finds a supportive environment, not only from her professors but also from her coaches.
"Coach Mindy McCord has been incredibly supportive of my academic journey," George said. "In my experience, coaches at the Division I level can be hesitant about athletes pursuing demanding degrees because of the time commitments. However, Coach McCord has always encouraged me to prioritize my education and has been flexible with my schedule, making it possible to pursue both my degree and my lacrosse career."
This supportive attitude has made a significant difference for George, as she continues to excel in both her studies and her sport.
"We do a lot of goal setting in lacrosse, and I find that it applies to my public health studies as well," she said. "The discipline, teamwork and leadership skills I’ve developed as an athlete are valuable assets in public health."
As she moves toward her career, George is still exploring various fields within public health. She has interned in health education, job shadowed in health administration at Tampa General Hospital and even explored medical sales. "At the end of the day, I just want to be successful in public health and help people lead healthier lives," she said.
Juliana George scoring the first goal (unassisted) in program history 48 seconds after the opening draw in the team's innaugural game against Kennesaw State on Feb. 7, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Micah Banks)
George, who also scored the first goal in USF history, expressed her gratitude for both the athletic and academic opportunities the university has provided. "It’s been amazing to combine my public health education with lacrosse," she said. "Living in Florida, playing a sport I love and being part of a community that supports me—it’s the perfect combination."
George also emphasized the importance of community support, noting that during their first lacrosse game, nearly 3,000 fans were in attendance, an impressive turnout for lacrosse.
"The support from USF, from my professors to our fans, is something I’ll always remember,” she said. “It’s helped me succeed on and off the field."
Her advice to incoming student-athletes, especially those pursuing challenging academic graduate programs, is simple: "Time management is key. Use your resources, stay organized and don’t be afraid to reach out for support."
Looking ahead, George is excited about her future and the potential to contribute to public health in a meaningful way. Whether continuing in sports, health education or another area, she is committed to making a difference.
"I want to raise awareness about public health and its impact on our daily lives," she said. "And at the end of the day, it’s all about helping people live healthier, longer lives."