A Family of Service and a Community of Learners: Jax State Public Health at the Cocky Cares Health Fair

11/05/2025

fuller.jpgAt Jacksonville State University’s Cocky Cares for Calhoun County Health Fair, held October 7–8 at the Jacksonville Community Center, the spirit of public service was alive and thriving. Among the many passionate participants were Shannon Bernard Fuller, a Master of Public Health (MPH) student and Jax State alum, and his daughter McKenzie Fuller, a senior chemistry major and the reigning Miss Jacksonville State University 2025. The Fullers’ participation in the Cocky Cares Health Fair exemplifies the power of family, education, and civic responsibility. Shannon’s decades of experience in emergency response and public safety, combined with Mackensie’s advocacy and academic excellence, made a lasting impact on attendees and providers alike. Together, they brought a powerful blend of professional expertise, academic excellence, and community advocacy to the event, alongside fellow MPH students who are preparing to make meaningful impacts in public health. 
 
McKenzie Fuller: Championing Literacy and Health Awareness 
As Miss Jacksonville State University, McKenzie used her platform to promote the health fair through social media outreach, encouraging broad community participation. A senior majoring in Applied Chemistry, she is also the founder of Reading Rockets, a literacy initiative aimed at improving reading comprehension among elementary-aged children. Her advocacy for education and health made her a standout presence at the fair. 
 
MPH Students in Action 
Students from Jax State’s Master of Public Health program participated in the health fair as part of their experiential learning, gaining firsthand insight into community health needs and interprofessional collaboration. Their activities included: 
 
• Engaging with attendees and providers through informal interviews and surveys. 
• Providing health education and promotion across a variety of topics. 
• Serving as patient navigators, helping guide participants through the fair and connecting them with services. 
• Assessing provider perspectives by speaking with health fair staff and community center directors. 
• Observing and reflecting on the roles of professionals outside of public health, including those in medicine, nursing, social work, and other disciplines. 
 
This hands-on experience allowed students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting while contributing meaningfully to community wellness. 
 
Shannon Fuller: From Emergency Management to Public Health Leadership 
Shannon earned his Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management from Jax State and is currently pursuing his MPH. With over two decades of federal service, including his current role as a CBRNE/WMD Instructor at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), Shannon trains responders in hazardous materials and mass casualty incidents. He also coordinated participation from the Boys and Girls Club of East Central Alabama and the American Red Cross, expanding the fair’s reach and impact. 
 
Eden Sample: Bridging Athletics and Access to Care 
Originally from Suwannee, Georgia, Eden Sample is a current MPH student and member of Jax State’s women’s basketball team. She is passionate about improving access to care for underserved communities and plans to play basketball overseas before attending dental school to become an orthodontist. 
 
Alexus Wilcoxon: Advocacy and Education 
From Pell City, Alabama, Alexus Wilcoxon brings nearly four years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Technician to her MPH studies. She is focused on healthcare administration and leadership, aiming to advance in roles that allow her to educate and advocate for patients before health declines occur. 
 
Paige Glaspie: A Generalist with a Broad Vision 
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Paige Glaspie chose a generalist concentration in public health to explore all facets of the healthcare field. She hopes to work for the state or federal government after graduation, applying her broad skill set to diverse public health challenges. 
 
A Community of Learners and Leaders 
The Cocky Cares Health Fair was more than an event—it was a living classroom for Jax State’s MPH students. Through direct engagement, observation, and collaboration, students like Shannon, Eden, Alexus, and Paige demonstrated the power of public health to educate, connect, and transform. 
 
Their stories reflect the diversity of backgrounds and aspirations within the MPH program, and their shared commitment to service shows how Jax State continues to shape leaders who care deeply about the communities they serve.