The Zilber College of Public Health follows a blended advising model by providing its graduate students with both faculty and professional academic advising.  Students will be assigned a faculty advisor at the time of admission or orientation, depending on your program. 

Our professional advisors are here to help you navigate your transition to your graduate program, help keep you on track to completion and connect you with the myriad of resources available to our students.

I’m a new graduate student. How do I start?

For your first semester, the professional academic advisors below will help you register for your classes. For the following semesters, students will meet with their faculty academic advisors prior to each semester, to discuss their plans of study. The faculty advisor will be assigned to students at their Orientation before the semester begins.

Make an appointment with your advisor by calling (414) 229-2758 or via an e-mail to zcph-info@uwm.edu

Who is my professional academic advisor?

  • MPH – all tracks, including MPH – MSW
  • MS, Biostatistics
  • Graduate Certificate, Maternal & Child Health
  • Graduate Certificate, Interprofessional Public & Population Health
  • Graduate Certificate, Applied Gerontology


Portrait of Torry Rufer
  • Senior Academic Advisor
  • Environmental Health Sciences, PhD
  • Epidemiology, PhD
  • Health Care Informatics, MS
  • Kinesiology MS and PhD
  • Public Health PhD – Biostatistics
  • Public Health PhD – Community and Behavioral Health Promotion

When should I meet with my advisor?

Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor at least once per semester to ensure timely progress to graduation.

Enrolling for spring semester? Schedule an appointment with your advisor in October or November.

Enrolling for fall semester? Schedule an appointment with your advisor in March or April.

Students are also welcome to schedule an appointment with their advisor at any time to discuss academic challenges, career opportunities, or any other questions.

How can my advisor help me?

The Zilber College of Public Health academic advisors understand the challenges of balancing academics, work, family, and the social aspects of college life. Advisors partner with you to:

  • Help plan the sequence of your courses and achievement of program milestones.
  • Prepare for course enrollment.
  • Access academic support and special graduate student funding opportunities.
  • Identify opportunities for campus involvement.
  • Connect you to campus resources.
  • Plan for graduation.

Campus resources available to graduate students