Soka Health Advocacy and Research Program

A group of children watching a laptop while a girl is using the machine

Two happy seniors sit together and smile

Advancing Health Equity Through Research, Education, and Community Partnership

The Soka Health Advocacy and Research Program (SHARP) prepares students to advance health equity through research, advocacy, education, and community partnership. SHARP combines community engagement with applied research. Interns investigate health and well-being using scientific and public health evidence, translate that evidence into programming responsive to community needs, and examine what can be learned from their work.

SHARP offers two tracks: the Youth Health Track and the Older Adult Health Track.

In partnership with the International School for Science and Culture (ISSAC) in Costa Mesa, the Youth Health Track promotes health literacy among elementary and middle school students through community-based health education.

The track spans the academic year. During the fall semester, interns conduct background research, review evidence related to youth health and health education, and work collaboratively to develop evidence-informed, age-appropriate programming.

During the spring semester, interns put this work into practice through on-site programming at ISSAC. Interns facilitate interactive health education, engage students in hands-on learning, and mentor students as they explore connections among health, science, and their own lives and communities.

Kids take part in a youth health advocacy program at SUA.

Youth Health Track interns may:

Conduct background research and review evidence related to youth health and health education
Develop evidence-informed health education activities and curriculum
Translate scientific and health information for younger audiences
Facilitate interactive health programming with elementary and middle school students
Mentor students working on health-related projects
Collaborate with fellow interns, faculty, and ISSAC educators
Contribute to program evaluation, research, and dissemination

Commitment

Applicants to the Youth Health Track must commit to participating throughout the academic year and must be on campus during the spring semester. Interns should keep Friday afternoons available, particularly during the spring semester, for on-site programming and other community engagement at ISSAC.

The Older Adult Health Track partners with a local senior living community to promote healthy aging through wellness education, intergenerational engagement, and applied research.

Interns investigate topics related to health and well-being across the lifespan and translate evidence into engaging, accessible programming for older adults. Areas of focus may include healthy longevity, cognitive health, purpose and meaning, social connection, creativity, and other factors that contribute to well-being in later life.

The track connects community engagement with research and scholarship. Interns may conduct literature reviews, develop research-informed programming, contribute to program evaluation, and translate findings for community and academic audiences.

Volunteer checking elderly woman's blood pressure at home

Older Adult Health Track interns may:

Conduct literature reviews and synthesize evidence related to healthy aging
Develop and facilitate evidence-informed wellness programming
Engage directly with older adults through intergenerational activities
Translate research findings for community audiences
Contribute to program evaluation and applied research
Develop research for presentation and scholarly dissemination
Participate in campus education and awareness activities

Recent Scholarship

Research developed through the Older Adult Health Track, “Ikigai Among Older Adults and Implications for Residential Care Settings: A Scoping Review,” was accepted for a paper presentation at the **Gerontological Society of America (GSA) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting** in National Harbor, Maryland.

Commitment

Students should keep Friday afternoons available for team meetings, program activities, and on-site community engagement.

What SHARP Interns Gain

Across both tracks, SHARP provides opportunities to develop skills in:

Community health and health advocacy
Community-engaged and applied research
Health education and health communication
Evidence-informed program development
Literature review and research synthesis
Program implementation and evaluation
Leadership and teamwork
Professional communication
Collaboration with community partners
Scholarly presentation and dissemination

SHARP can provide valuable experience for students interested in medicine, public health, nursing, physician assistant practice, psychology, social work, research, education, health policy, and other fields involving health and community well-being.

Compensation and Transportation

SHARP is an unpaid internship. Students who are eligible for Federal Work-Study may be able to receive Federal Work-Study funding for their participation, subject to eligibility and available funding.

Transportation to community partner sites is coordinated as part of the program. Students who drive other SHARP interns to and from community engagement sites may be eligible for reimbursement of transportation costs.

Who Can Apply?

SHARP is open to **2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th-year Soka University of America students from all concentrations. Students do not need to be pursuing a health profession to participate.

International students are welcome and eligible to apply.

Applicants should demonstrate an interest in community engagement, health equity, education, research, or public health and a willingness to work collaboratively and responsibly with community partners.

Applicants to the Youth Health Track must be on campus during the spring semester** and able to commit to on-site programming at ISSAC. Students in both tracks should plan to keep Friday afternoons available for program activities and community engagement.

SHARP Information Session

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 17:00 in Curie 200

Students considering SHARP are invited to attend the Soka Health Research Symposium & SHARP Information Session. Attend the symposium and stay afterward to learn more about SHARP, meet participants, and ask questions about the program and application process.

Apply to SHARP

Applications for the 2026–2027 Soka Health Advocacy and Research Program internship cohort are now open.

Apply to SHARP

Application Deadline

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 23:59

Questions?

Students with questions about SHARP, track selection, eligibility, or the application process may contact Health Professions Advising at hpa@soka.edu.