Gabrielle Riendeau’s Path from First-Generation Student to Public Health Professional

Riendeau is working to address public health issues in her community.

For Gabrielle Riendeau, being the first in her family to attend college meant navigating an entirely new world on her own. But as daunting as that sounds, she was up to the challenge.

Now a graduate of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), Riendeau has turned her educational experiences into a career in public health, focused on health equity and underserved communities. As National First-Generation College Celebration Day approaches on November 8, her story reflects the experiences and accomplishments of many students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education.

On campus, Riendeau made it a mission to support others like her as a peer mentor. She was also a member of the First Flight Association, a student club for first-gen students to connect.

“It was scary going to college when I didn’t have any resources to tell me what to do, and navigating the college environment can be overwhelming,” Riendeau said. “I wanted to help other people break through that barrier.”

Tackling Food Insecurity Through Research

As an honors student in the School of Arts and Sciences, Riendeau said one of her most meaningful experiences at MCPHS came in her second year during a course on Health Education and Promotion. She and her classmates conducted research on Boston neighborhoods, deciding to investigate food insecurity. The students explored the barriers that prevent access to healthy food in low-income neighborhoods. Riendeau helped collect data, interviewed community members, and analyzed factors such as food prices and accessibility to grocery stores.

“A lot of people don’t have the right stores nearby to get healthy food, so they end up having to choose processed options that are unhealthier, which can lead to problems like diabetes,” Riendeau explains.

One particularly eye-opening moment for Riendeau was discovering the stark contrasts between food availability in different parts of the city. “We saw how some neighborhoods had multiple supermarkets within walking distance, while others were food deserts,” she says. “In those areas, people relied on convenience stores, where fresh produce was limited or nonexistent. And even if healthier options were available, they were often priced out of reach.”

Through their research, Riendeau and her classmates developed recommendations aimed at improving food access in these neighborhoods, such as planting community gardens, teaching cooking classes or offering a grocery store food truck.

The project not only deepened her understanding of food insecurity but also reinforced her commitment to addressing public health disparities through research and policy. That’s when Riendeau changed her major from pre-medical studies to public health.

“My interest was not just with treating people, I wanted to prevent their condition altogether,” Riendeau said.

Stepping into Public Health Work

After passing the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam in April, Riendeau graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences. Shortly after, she joined Rhode Island Hospital as a Clinical Research Assistant in the Harm Reduction Innovation Lab. In this role, she focuses on tackling the opioid crisis, which remains Rhode Island’s leading cause of accidental death.

Riendeau’s work involves researching and implementing harm reduction strategies, including those aimed at preventing overdoses. “It’s an ongoing public health crisis,” she says. “Being part of a team working directly on solutions is both challenging and rewarding.”

Looking Ahead

In addition to her full-time work, Riendeau is pursuing a Master of Public Health at MCPHS with an expected completion in 2026. She said this degree is the next step in her commitment to addressing healthcare inequities and advancing public health policy.

“MCPHS gave me the opportunity to work directly with communities and develop skills that I use every day in my job,” she says. “The experience helped me see how policy, advocacy, and community engagement intersect in public health.”

Riendeau sees a lot of possibilities with obtaining her master’s degree—including returning to her mission of supporting first-generation students.

“I think I want to work in university health education and help students feel confident. I like to be able to help people get on the right track and feel affirmed in their beliefs and their knowledge about health. And I want to encourage them to help others do the same,” she said.