By: Matalay Kollie
A young and determined Liberian, Miss. Hawa Cynthia Miller, is making headlines as she prepares to graduate on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from Cuttington University Graduate School.
At just 22 years old, she will become the youngest recipient of a Master’s of Public Health in Epidemiology, a notable achievement reflecting her dedication and hard work.
Born in January 2000, Miss. Miller embarked on her educational journey at the Kingdom Builders International School in the Duport Road community of Monrovia, Liberia.
She began her primary education in 2005 at the tender age of five and continued until completing Kindergarten II.
Upon promotion to first grade, she transitioned to ELWA Academy, where she excelled academically.
Throughout her academic career, Miller experienced five double promotions from junior to senior high, showcasing her exceptional intellect.
Miss. Miller attributes much of her successes to her mother’s encouragement and educational guidance.
“From one class to another, I was always reading lessons for the next class at home under my mother’s instructions, with tasks that included book reports, assignments, and even home tests,” she explained.
Such rigorous preparation laid a strong foundation for her educational future.
Upon graduating from high school at the age of 16 in 2019, Miss. Miller enrolled at Adventist University with the intention of majoring in Chemistry a subject she had developed an interest in during her high school years.
Unfortunately, the major was not offered at the institution.
However, she quickly pivoted to pursuing Public Health at Adventist University, which turned out to be a fortuitous decision.
During her time at Adventist University, Miss. Miller’s mother set a Grade Point Average (GPA) benchmark of 3.00 points, but she was determined to achieve higher. “I wanted to set the bar even higher for myself,” she stated, successfully raising her own benchmark to a remarkable 3.5 GPA, thus surpassing her mother’s expectations.
After spending four years in the program, Miss. Miller graduated in 2022 at the age of 20, earning her first degree in Public Health along with two separate awards: one as dux for her department and another for the entire university.
With her sights set on the job market, Miss. Miller initially aimed to gain experience—even volunteering after her undergraduate success, but opportunities were scarce.
This prompted her to further her education at Cuttington University Graduate School, where she eagerly pursued her master’s degree.
During her time at Cuttington, Miss. Miller was fortunate to secure a volunteer position with Twin Care Initiative, a non-governmental organization, which provided her with valuable experience in her field while she worked toward her graduate degree.
On June 21, 2025, she will receive her Master’s of Public Health in Epidemiology.
This specialized degree prepares graduates for vital roles in public health, including the collection and analysis of data on emerging disease outbreaks, an area critically important for communities worldwide.
Miss. Miller’s remarkable achievements have resonated throughout Liberia, earning her widespread admiration and congratulations from her peers, mentors, and community members alike.
Her resilience, commitment, and unyielding pursuit of her dreams stand as an inspiration to many young Liberians, particularly young women aspiring to make their mark in fields traditionally dominated by others.
As she prepares to walk across the stage to receive her degree, Miss. Hawa Cynthia Miller embodies hope and tenacity, promising to be a beacon of progress for future generations in Liberia and the field of public health.
