Payton Shreve

I was passionate about healthcare but couldn't picture myself in a clinical setting. WVU allowed me to study a topic I'm passionate about while learning about health disparities in Appalachia.

Payton Shreve spent the last four years immersed in studies and practical experiences to further her passion for improving community health, especially for youth. Now, she’s leaving a mark on West Virginia University School of Public Health history as a member of the first cohort to graduate from the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s (ABM) program and the first to earn that degree in public health.

“It’s been unique opportunity getting to try new things that no one before me has been able to do, and getting to be a part of both an undergraduate cohort and a graduate cohort has been interesting,” Shreve, a resident of Grafton, said. “The program has helped me develop as a student to gain a holistic approach to public health and look at it from multiple angles.”

Shreve’s passion for rural and youth health doubles back to the reason she wanted to study public health in the first place. Her work at a camp for at-risk kids opened her eyes to situations that impact families and their children’s future.

The ABM program widened her perspective further with experiences she calls “life changing.” Support from professors and both undergraduate and graduate students gave her a lift to champion challenges. In turn, she could even challenge herself to think outside the box.     

Students in the undergraduate public health major accepted into ABM programs can simultaneously complete their Bachelor of Science in public health and either Master of Health Administration or Master of Public Health in an accelerated format. Shreve was able to complete her degree in four years instead of the usual five-year accelerated time frame.

“Getting a master's degree was already something I was considering and the accelerated program fit nicely in my plan of study,” she said. “I only had to add an extra year and that saved me a lot of money in the long run.”

Small class sizes allow for individualized learning that Shreve says also adds an element of engagement.

“Your professors get the opportunity to know you, and you get to learn more about them,” she said. “That's been helpful because professors always know the focus of my projects. They know things that I'm interested in, and they can help me develop as a learner by acknowledging and knowing the things that I'm passionate about and push me forward into those areas.”

That support she received from students and faculty didn’t stop in the classroom.

“I have some of the best classmates,” Shreve said. “They are always there for me, and we regularly text and chat about classes. Our cohort has developed a close bond that’s made the college experience easier on me.”  

Highlighting Shreve’s academic journey were service-learning courses that aligned with her core emphasis in social and behavioral sciences. In one course, she helped develop an outreach program that created access to resources for parents who have children with disabilities.

“I've enjoyed taking those courses specifically because a large part of it is getting out into the community and doing work to impact people in better health outcomes.”

Shreve’s dedication and ability to meet challenges were rewarded with top honors. She received the 2025 School of Public Health Ruth E. Kershner Community Service Award and the William B. Murray Scholarship.

Beyond academics, Shreve encourages students to pursue other interests, advice she offers out of experience. She serves as vice president of the Student Association of Public Health, historian for Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health and a member of the Appalachian Advocacy Network leadership team. She also worked as an AmeriCorps Vista volunteer with a nonprofit organization in Tucker County where she interacted with high school and middle school students.

“Joining clubs and putting yourself out there will help diversify your experience,” she said. “Volunteer opportunities help you develop as a community member.”

After graduation, Shreve hopes to continue working with youth and public health program development.

“I think Appalachia is sometimes a place where people get forgotten, or communities aren't really provided with the care they need to change health outcomes,” she said. “I think it's a very unique population. I'm proud to be an Appalachian and I'd like to make a difference in the communities that I come from.”