Managing in Turbulent Times: Emerging Leaders in Public Health

Alumni

Althea D. AndersonAlthea D. Anderson, BA Assistant Director
University of California, Berkeley Maternal and Child Health Program

 

 

Area of work: Grants Management, Program Administration, Academic Advising

For the past five years, Althea served in an administrative capacity for UC Berkeley's Maternal and Child Health Program, a public health training program that provides graduate education, research, service and continuing education related to maternal, child, and family health. In her current position as MCH Assistant Director, Althea has primary responsibility for providing grant management and fiscal oversight of a DHHS/HRSA leadership training grant as well as managing the business administration, academic, programmatic and personnel aspects of a multidisciplinary program.

In addition to her work at UC Berkeley, Althea serves as a Research Associate on studies investigating safe motherhood and reproductive health practices in low-resource settings. In March, she traveled to Nigeria to monitor the data collection methods used by hospitals participating in the Anti-shock Garment Study, a research project conducted by the Women's Global Health Imperative and University College Teaching Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Through the years Althea worked with a variety of community-based organizations, promoting and advocating for grassroots approaches to health and well-being for people of color. Just recently, she facilitated a focus group with young women in Oakland, California to assess their knowledge of reproductive health issues, sexual health beliefs and practices, as well as their access and utilization of reproductive health services.

Personal Information:

My grandmother has always told me that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. I, however, have seldom taken the direct path in life. My journeys along paths less traveled have allowed me to connect with culturally, socially and politically progressive spirits throughout the world while simultaneously maintaining bonds with my close circle of family and friends. I have traveled extensively throughout Africa, the Caribbean, South America and Europe. Most of my travels are a result of working as a professional dancer with Dimensions Dance Theater, an Oakland-based dance company and school whose purpose is to create, perform, and teach dance that reflects the historical experiences and contemporary lives of African Americans. In my spare time, I enjoy the arts, Pilates, yoga and staying active in my community. I am truly in the business of living life to the fullest!

What I would like to get out of this program:

Guidance from experts in the fields of business administration and public health, along with an opportunity to network with other public health professionals, will provide the tools necessary to enhance and build upon my current skill set. Managing and being responsive to the expectations and needs of faculty, staff and students while ensuring financial solvency of an organization requires critical skills in fiscal management and the ability to be accountable to various constituents with diplomacy. As a Kellogg fellow I seek training that will enhance my ability to affectively manage what may appear to be competing priorities. In addition, I am eager to acquire new skills in business management and administration and apply them in an academic setting.