Annika Anderson, MPH, earned her B.S. in HDFS in 2020 and her Master of Public Health from UConn in 2022. With aspirations in healthcare, Annika appreciated learning about the socioecological model of health in HDFS, which recognizes that 90% of child health outcomes are influenced by a complex interplay of social and structural drivers.

As an undergraduate, Annika interned with the International Rescue Committee and supported Ahlan Simsim (“Welcome Sesame” in Arabic)—the largest early childhood development initiative in humanitarian response, funded by LEGO and the MacArthur Foundation. The program’s innovative combination of direct services and culturally relevant media sparked her interest in teaching children and youth about health and wellness through media. During her graduate studies, Annika proudly authored the PBS KIDS Health & Wellness Learning Framework, which guides producers in creating educational shows, games, podcasts, and other forms of media reaching children ages 2–8 across the United States.

Since completing graduate school Annika has built a career at Connecticut Children’s as an Innovation Specialist in the Office for Community Child Health. She supports Childhood Prosperity Lab, a social innovation incubator and accelerator helping children and families thrive where they live, learn, work, play, and pray. Her work includes facilitating Mastermind sessions for changemakers; training providers on the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework through North Hartford Ascend; co-designing youth- and community-driven initiatives using Human-Centered Design; and co-leading Learning Communities in partnership with the Help Me Grow National Center. Annika’s favorite part of her role is engaging with youth and families.

Annika hopes to pursue a Ph.D. and return to UConn’s HDFS program as a professor, inspiring the next generation of Huskies; she is particularly interested in the program’s new Human Development, Digital Media, and Technology course! Annika credits the HDFS program, especially the Early Childhood Specialization pathway, with profoundly shaping her personal and professional growth. Outside of work, Annika enjoys spending time with loved ones, creating art, reading Breathe magazine, and traveling—her favorite destination to date is Tokyo, Japan.