Episode 12

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Published on:

12th Apr 2026

From Small-Town Service to PhD to Confident Senior Leadership with Dr. Jen Cruz

***This Episode***

In this episode of Civically Grown, Dr. Jen Cruz shares a leadership journey rooted in service, resilience, and a deep commitment to community. An applied social epidemiologist and community organizer, Jen reflects on growing up in Wapato, Washington, a small town where leadership was less about titles and more about showing up for others.

Jen describes a leadership style fueled by persistence, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge systems that don’t serve people well. From participating in a service pageant that emphasized community involvement and purpose, to organizing a student protest around unsafe school travel conditions, to serving as student body president and team captain, her early experiences reveal how leadership often emerges in moments of necessity, visibility, and conviction.

Jen shares how her mother’s example of generosity and community care shaped her worldview, and how that legacy continued through teachers, coaches, and mentors after her mother’s passing. These influences grounded her belief that leadership is relational, collective, and rooted in accountability to others.

Now stepping directly into a senior leadership role after completing her PhD, Jen discusses the importance of “flexing” confidence while still growing into her leadership identity. She offers insight into building teams, cultivating partnerships, and navigating the complexity of public health work in real-world settings. Her approach emphasizes humility, collaboration, and a strong sense of purpose.

The conversation highlights the importance of knowing yourself, surrounding yourself with people who both support and challenge you, and leading with both confidence and care. Jen ultimately describes her leadership style as vibrant and resilient, like poppies, grounded in community and able to thrive wherever they are planted.

In this episode, you will hear about:

  • Growing up in Wapato, Washington, and how community shaped early leadership
  • Organizing a student protest for safety and its lasting impact
  • The influence of Jen’s mother and intergenerational community care
  • Leadership through service, sports, and student government
  • Transitioning quickly from PhD to senior leadership
  • Building teams and partnerships in public health
  • The mindset: “expect nothing, appreciate everything”
  • What it means to “flex your confidence” in leadership

***Guest Bio***

Jen Cruz, PhD, MPH (she/her) is a community-centered researcher passionate about the intersection of public health and justice. She is an applied social epidemiologist with strong quantitative and qualitative skills. Jen has worked in differently-resourced settings in both the US and globally. Her approach to research and theory of change draws heavily from her experiences as a community organizer. She is dedicated to using her skills and positionality to amplify the strengths that already lie within communities and hold those in positions of power accountable for dismantling harmful systems of oppression.

Jen received her BS in Psychology from Seattle University, MPH in Global Health Epidemiology from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and PhD in Population Health Sciences from Harvard University. She was also a Fulbright-Nehru Student Research grant recipient.

***Show Host***

Dr. Shaniece Criss

***About The Podcast***

From youth leadership to enduring community impact, Civically Grown highlights changemakers who have turned early civic action into meaningful legacies. Two new episodes are released each month on YouTube and all major podcast platforms: https://civicallygrown.captivate.fm/.

#CivicallyGrown #YouthLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Wapato #SeniorLeadership

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About the Podcast

Civically Grown
Where changemakers share the roots of their leadership and the impact they’re cultivating today.

Civically Grown shares the stories of leaders whose early steps in civic engagement began in youth leadership and have grown into legacies of lasting community impact. Dr. Shaniece Criss, a former youth governor turned health scholar and public servant, hosts this podcast. It is your source for inspiration, insight, and actionable strategies that fuel your momentum and amplify your influence.

Each episode blends uplifting conversations with tools to help you overcome obstacles, strengthen your leadership, and spark meaningful change. Whether you’re looking to deepen your impact or build a lasting legacy, Civically Grown equips you to grow as a leader and empower the next generation. Join a community of passionate changemakers committed to making a difference that endures.

About your host

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Dr. Shaniece Criss

Dr. Shaniece Criss is a civic leader and podcast host who believes in the power of community to drive meaningful change. At Furman University, she serves as Associate Professor of Health Sciences and Director of the Advocacy and Social Policy master's program. Her career spans local and global impact, from producing a national health television program in Guyana during her Peace Corps service to roles at the CDC, ICF International, and CNN. She earned degrees from Harvard University (ScD, MPA), Emory University (MPH), and Oglethorpe University (BA). Dr. Criss brings experience, optimism, and authenticity to every conversation.