Biography
Kusuma K. Schofield, MSEd, MPH is a public health nutrition professional with over 17 years of experience in SNAP-Ed programming. Currently, Kusuma serves as the Administrative Coordinator III at Drexel University’s PA SNAP-Ed/ Eat Right Philly Program, where the focus of her work is on the assessment and evaluation of the Eat Right Philly Program in K-12 schools. Schofield also manages undergraduate, graduate, interns and volunteer students, providing mentorship, guidance and employment opportunities to students.
Schofield has vast experience in public health volunteer work where she served on the American Public Health Association’s Education Board as 2022-2023 Chair, and as the former Education Board Chair of the Assessment and Evaluation Section. She is passionate about SNAP-Ed and public health advocacy. Schofield also worked with the APHA Joint Policy Committee (2021-2023) and APHA Food and Nutrition Section Policy Committee, where her committee contributions have been recognized by staff members in Congress to help shape policies for child nutrition programs. She has volunteered with the APHA FN Program Planning Committee, the APAHA Student Assembly (SA), and the APHA SA Education Board representative. She is currently working with Food and Nutrition leadership as the Webinar Co-Chair to facilitate a joint webinar between APHA, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Association of State Public Health Nutritionist.
She is also a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Insecurity Affinity Group. Schofield also provides volunteer support to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, supporting their outreach group that provides a safe space for those who identify as women, trans, and or non-binary individuals. Schofield also supports non-profit organizations by providing grant writing assistance and has raised over $50,000 for the organizations that she serves.
Kusuma holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Temple University, as well an MS in Higher Education and Public Health (MPH) from Drexel University. She is currently a PhD candidate in Nutrition Sciences at Drexel University, where her study focus is curriculum evaluation among high school students in the Philadelphia School District. Schofield is an active member of the American Society for Nutrition Foundation, The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, The PA Nutrition Education Network and the Association for Women in Science.
Candidate Statement
My name is Kusuma Schofield, and I am running for nomination as a member of the Executive Board. I am a public health nutritionist with over 17 years of experience working in SNAP. I hold an MSEd, an MPH and am a PhD candidate in Nutrition Sciences. Most importantly, I have been a member of APHA since 2016. Through my time with APHA I have learned invaluable skillsets that have helped me to excel in my career. Upon joining, I jumped into the Student Assembly as a representative for the Education Board. APHA allowed me to learn professional skills early on in my MPH experience. I quickly learned about the structure of and inner workings of APHA. I was amazed at the vast array of individuals who were not only champions of public health, but champions of young professionals like me. I started to learn about the structure of APHA. I applied to the Education Board once my student role was completed. The Education Board quickly became my family of friends, mentors, teachers and leaders who taught me that nothing was impossible in my journey into public health. I worked in varying capacities for my section, Food and Nutrition, engaging with the Program Planning Committee and joining the Policy Committee where I learned how to further use my knowledge in public health to influence our leaders. I went on to serve as co-chair of the Joint Policy Committee and chair of the Education Board. I decided to take the step to run for Executive Board. I am hard working, dedicated and willing to learn. I have grown with my roles in APHA, and in turn, that has made me a better employee and public health professional. Every day I learn something new and am excited to continue my APHA journey.