Ms. Kent enrolled in the Joint Degree Program in 2002, beginning her coursework in the Law School. She completed her JD and MS in Health Services Research, Policy & Administration in December 2005. She received her BA in Political Science and Psychology with honors from the University of Minnesota. She was awarded a partial scholarship from Rotary District 5950 in 2002-03 and presented a paper on "Federal Campaign Donation Strategies of Health Professionals' Political Action Committees" at the American Public Health Association's annual conference in November 2002.

During Summer 2003, she participated in Michigan State University's Program on Medical Ethics and the History of Health Care in London. In 2003-2005, she worked as an intern at the law firm of Halleland Lewis Nilan Sipkins & Johnson in Minneapolis. Her article on "Comparison of ANA and AMA Professional Values and PAC Donations," co-authored with Prof. Joan Liaschenko of the University's Center for Bioethics, was published by the Journal of Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice in Fall 2004. She is employed at the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota where she serves as the point person for the BioBusiness Resource Network which supports companies and develops biobusiness infrastructure in the state.

Thoughts about Joint Degree Program (JDP):

"The Joint Degree Program offers students a structure in which to complete both their degrees. The staff are excellent at working out the kinks of two simultaneous degrees, which leaves students free to concentrate on their studies. Overall, it was a great experience."