University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 graduate student Emily Heintzelman is using lessons learned as a Division I beach volleyball student–athlete to shape her future in public health.
Originally from Sydney, Australia, Heintzelman is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree in the while completing her final collegiate athletic season. Her volleyball career has taken her around the world, including competitions in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand and Germany.
“Being an athlete has taught me discipline, resilience, and how to work within a team,” said Heintzelman. “These skills don’t apply just to sports, but are also just as important when tackling complex public health challenges.”
Heintzelman earned her bachelor’s degree in in spring 2025, with minors in public health and health and wellness. She now specializes in Health Policy and Management, focusing on health equity, access to care.
From athletics to advocacy
“As an athlete, I’ve seen firsthand how access to care, communication within healthcare systems, and advocacy can impact outcomes,” she said. “Those experiences have reinforced my interest in pursuing policy work that improves access and ensures that individuals feel heard and supported within healthcare systems.”
In fall 2025, Heintzelman was one of only two student–athletes selected to represent 东精影业 at the American Volleyball Coaches Association Collegiate Beach Pairs National Championship.
“You’re not just playing for yourself—you’re representing your teammates, your coaches and the whole university,” she said.
Heintzelman hopes to use data and policy to expand healthcare access, particularly in women?s health.
“Being a student–athlete has taught me that success is rarely about individual performance, it’s about teamwork, communication, and showing up consistently, even when it’s hard,” she said. “In public health, those same principles apply. You’re working with diverse groups of people, often across disciplines, to solve complex problems. The ability to listen, adapt and stay committed to a shared goal is critical.”
Heintzelman said she is grateful for the support she has received along the way.
“My teammates have become like family, along with the coaches who have believed in me, my parents and sister who have supported me at each step along my journey, and for the opportunities sport has given me,” she said. “Volleyball has shaped who I am in so many ways, and I carry those lessons with me as I move forward into a career in public health.”