“If someone told me three years ago that I would be graduating with a master's degree in public health, I would have probably said you're crazy,” said Parker Risk (MPH ‘25) with a smile.
Growing up immersed in sports, Risk initially gravitated toward exercise science for his undergraduate studies with a goal to eventually work in the Air Force, but he soon discovered that God had other plans for him. Risk was inspired to switch to public health and eventually was led to apply to the Integrated Master of Public Health program—often called the 4+1 program.
“God gives us one decision at a time, and as we just strive to make the right decision in front of us, then we're going to be on the right path,” Risk said. “As I look back on the small decisions that have led me to where I am, I can see God's hand in those changes and course corrections that in the moment just kind of felt like setbacks.”
One of these course corrections came during Risk’s time in the Air Force ROTC. After participating in the program for a year, he was preparing to do an ROTC summer camp and do ROTC for the next two years of his undergraduate degree.
“It's always been a dream of mine to join the Air Force. I've wanted to do it since I was a kid. My dad was in the Air Force. He was a pilot, and I never felt like being a pilot was the right thing for me. But I did always want to be in the Air Force in some way,” Risk explained.
However, in yet another divinely-inspired decision, Risk decided to join the Integrated Master of Public Health program instead of doing ROTC, seemingly putting a pause on his progress towards the Air Force.
"God gives us one decision at a time, and as we just strive to make the right decision in front of us, then we're going to be on the right path."
Then recently Risk learned about a public health officer position in the Air Force. “I was like, ‘Well, that's perfect for me.’ So, I did the very lengthy application, I shadowed at Hill Air Force Base, and I interviewed with a colonel,” he explained. Shortly afterwards, Risk found out that he was selected for the position. It was another experience that showed Risk just how involved God was in his life.
Civic Engagement and Impact
Relying on God’s guidance also led Risk to work on various collaborative projects at BYU. In one project, he worked with BikeWalk Provo, a local organization that advocates safe forms of active transportation, to conduct research on pedestrian safety near busy intersections. After surveying people passing through the area, they compiled their findings and recommendations into a comprehensive report and presented it to the Provo City Council during a meeting. Risk didn’t expect much to come from it—it was just a school assignment. But six months later, the city reached out.
“They emailed us saying that Mayor Kaufusi really liked our project, and they're going to make changes because of what we found.” Another six months after the city implemented their findings, Risk said he got an email from BYUSA asking about their findings and recommendations on what they should do. This experience helped him see the impact that public health research can have on a community when it’s presented to the right people.
Family and Faith
One of the skills that Risk has mastered while at BYU is time management. Despite his busy academic schedule, Risk makes time for his family and the hobbies he’s passionate about. Risk and his wife, Tyra, have a two-year-old son named Heath, and he always makes an effort to spend quality time with them. He’s also squeezed in enough time to write a book and create a film during his undergraduate career—a herculean feat.
Risk’s experiences at BYU taught him to work hard, trust in the plan God has for him, and look forward to the future with faith. In September, Risk will begin his Air Force training in Alabama.