College Scholars Program
“As a public health nutrition advocate, the College Scholars Program at the University of Tennessee greatly enhanced my educational, professional, and personal journey to be where I am today.”
Ashlyn Anderson (’22)
UT Torchbearer
Student Spotlight

My program seeks to bridge the gap between the healthcare realm and policy realm with a multidisciplinary and intersectional lens. “With an emphasis on underrepresented populations,” points out that certain communities and individuals are pushed into the margins of policymaking, public health data analysis, medical education, and other related institutions and practices. Addressing health inequities not only serves affected populations but also increases the applicability and scope of Health Policy and Public Health in an increasingly diverse, ageing, complex world. I often find that policies directly affecting health are handled by individuals with little health expertise, and those with the most health experience are far removed from policymaking and reviewing processes. The connection of these two fields, alongside the vital social sciences, is becoming increasingly fundamental in approaching the health politics of both our nation and our world.