For Mitchell Marcus, health education and promotion is more than a field—it’s a framework for building equity, advocacy, and well-being in every corner of student life. As Assistant Director for Student Engagement & Wellbeing and an Adjunct Faculty member in the Entry to Baccalaureate Division at Rutgers University School of Nursing, Marcus is helping to shape the next generation of healthcare professionals, both inside and outside the classroom.
From Public Health Roots to a Nursing School Role
Marcus began his journey in health education while conducting outreach in local high schools across urban parts of New Jersey. 
“I was having conversations with students around accessing a college education,” he recalled. “It quickly became clear that many of the barriers they faced were rooted in social determinants of health.”
That realization led him to pursue his Master of Public Health at Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), with a focus on health education. He eventually joined the school as a staff member before transitioning into his current role at Rutgers School of Nursing. Now entering his third year, Marcus oversees student services for the 2+2 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program based in Blackwood, NJ, and supports campuswide student functions across the nursing school’s programs in Blackwood, New Brunswick and Newark.
His role encompasses co-curricular programming, student onboarding and orientation, convocation and award ceremonies, and peer mentoring. But at the core of it all is a public health lens. “Everything I do is grounded in health education and promotion—whether it’s teaching, programming, or simply helping students navigate challenges during their academic journey,” he explained.
Bringing Health Equity to the Classroom
One of Marcus’s proudest accomplishments has been stepping into the classroom as an instructor for the Sociocultural Dimensions of Health course. Though teaching wasn’t part of his original role, he saw an opening when a faculty member transitioned. “I pointed out to our academic leadership that I had my CHES® and a strong foundation in this subject area,” he said. “The administration was incredibly supportive and saw the value in having a public health expert teach future nurses about health
equity, social determinants, and culturally responsive care.”
Many of Marcus’s students come from community colleges or underrepresented backgrounds, and they often recognize their own experiences in the course content. Through reflective activities like Photovoice, Marcus encourages them to examine health disparities in their communities and explore their future roles as advocates. “It helps them put a face and name to the challenges they’ve lived through or observed, and empowers them to act,” he shared.
Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom
Outside the classroom, Marcus leads the Peer Mentor Program across all three Rutgers School of Nursing campuses. He is actively working to implement certified peer educator training for student mentors and continues to integrate CHES® competencies—especially leadership, communication, and advocacy—into their development.
“My goal is to help my students become advocates for themselves and others,” he said. “We talk about the importance of networking, leveraging relationships, and understanding when to seek professional support.”
The students also help deliver holistic well-being initiatives across eight dimensions of wellness. They participate in structured goal-setting sessions, assess their own wellness priorities, and receive support on navigating stress, burnout, or external pressures. “As future healthcare professionals, our students need to be provided with a baseline of support to take care of the people who may then become their patients,” Marcus explained. “They go home to environments that can impact their health—so we teach them tools and strategies that can lead to best practices for clinical care.”
Capstone Work that Inspires Real-World Impact
Marcus’s MPH capstone project still influences his work today. He developed a curriculum focused on social and environmental wellness for college students designed to help them evaluate how their environments and social networks affect their overall well-being. That work now informs how he advises students, mentors peer leaders, and designs support programs.
“We look at who is in your circle, what energy they bring, and how your surroundings may help or hinder your health,” he said. “I want students to be self-aware, resourceful, and equipped to thrive both academically and personally.”
The CHES® Advantage
Marcus earned his CHES® credential in 2022 after being mentored by Dr. Laura Liang, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Rutgers School of Public Health, 
and a long-standing CHES® champion. “Dr. Liang was the only CHES® at Rutgers SPH at the time and she really embodied what it meant to be a health educator—an advocate, a teacher, and a mentor,” Marcus said.
He joined a CHES® study group of students and alumni preparing for the exam, and says the certification has strengthened his credibility in both academic and student affairs settings. “Having those four letters next to my name means something,” he said. “It’s helped validate my subject-matter expertise and build trust with my students.”
Though MCHES® wasn’t on his immediate radar, Marcus is now entering his eighth year in the field and sees it as a future possibility.
Advice for the Next Generation
Marcus is keenly aware of the challenges facing the field of public health, from workforce shortages to burnout. Still, he remains optimistic. “Public health is everywhere,” he said. “It’s not always about working in government or eradicating disease. Sometimes it’s about helping a community feel supported and healthy.”
His advice to students and emerging professionals? Don’t box yourself into traditional roles. “If something sparks your interest—like teaching—go for it. Do not allow self-doubt to be the reason your goals and dreams are not achieved.”
With his passion for community engagement, student well-being, and advancing health education, Mitchell Marcus is a compelling example of how CHES®-certified professionals are making a difference in academic settings and beyond.