Jocelyn Muñiz – graduating Master of Public Health (MPH) student and COSSPP alumna – was recently promoted to program administrator of the Public Health Dental Program at the Florida Department of Health.
The Public Health Dental Program guides the Florida Department of Health’s initiatives to strengthen and protect oral health across the state. The program has an incredible impact across Florida, managing statewide dental health data, setting policy priorities, supporting education and prevention programs, and providing direct dental services.
As the program administrator, Muñiz oversees dental health plans to increase access to oral health services, promote preventive care, and improve outcomes across diverse communities.
“Working at the Florida Department of Health, I already feel like I apply my education to my job,” Muñiz said. “Being a public health major really helped me understand the inner workings of policy and the reasons that health, and health-related issues, are in the state that they are. Knowing the system and its influencing factors impacted my desire to make a change from within.”
Muñiz is graduating with her MPH in the fall of 2025. She is a Tallahassee native, having earned her bachelor’s degree in public health from FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSSPP) in 2023. Her dedication to public health and education reflects her passion for bridging gaps in healthcare and ensuring that underserved communities receive the resources they need. Muñiz credits her time at COSSPP with helping her build the strong professional network that opened doors and propelled her toward her dream career.
When asked what aspect of FSU has left a lasting impact on her, Muñiz said, “Dr. Barath has had the biggest influence on me as a student and as an individual in the field of public health. Not only does she give me feedback on my classwork, but she also provides guidance on my professional career, helping me build my résumé, serving as a reference, and offering insight into the public health system and how it functions.”
Learn more about FSU’s public health programs.