February 24, 2025 | By Emilie Jacques
Introducing Joshua Carlson, the 2024 James Bogan scholarship recipient
Copper Shores has awarded the 2024 James Bogan Health Administration scholarship to Joshua Carlson to financially assist him as he pursues a Master’s degree. Carlson expects to graduate from the University of Maryland in the spring of 2026, with a Master’s degree in Public Health and an emphasis on Behavioral and Community Health, before starting his career in the Copper Country.
Carlson grew up in metro Detroit and attended Grand Valley State University, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, inspired by his passion for youth sports. He and his wife initially moved to the Copper Country for her job at Michigan Technological University, having fallen in love with all of the outdoor recreation opportunities in the area. 
“My passion lies in the idea of active transportation,” said Carlson. “Getting people walking more, biking more, using active resources to move from A to B instead of depending on cars. In a small community, I think we are primed to empower people to move from place to place in a more productive and healthy fashion, even saving some money from cars.”
Carlson is excited to invest himself back into the community. After graduating, Carlson hopes to work in the nonprofit sector, ideally focussing on urban development initiatives.
“I think a lot about what I learned; the reasons we are a little unhealthy as a population,” said Carlson. “Social determinants of health such as zip code influence how long one might live. It made me interested in helping everyone equitably.”
Copper Shores is proud to support this young professional as he completes school and helps make the community a better and more healthful place to live.
About the scholarship
The James Bogan Health Administration Scholarship is specifically designed for students enrolled in a master’s level program interested in, or working a career in healthcare. Any student from Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw or Ontonagon counties that is enrolled in a master’s level program focused in healthcare administration is invited to apply.
This can include a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Master’s degree in Public Health, Master’s degree in Health Administration, Master’s degree in Public Administration and Master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration.
To learn more about the scholarship opportunities available at Copper Shores, visit coppershores.org/scholarships. To be notified of scholarship opportunities, subscribe to the free monthly email newsletter.
