Olivia “Alaka’i” Bene
Olivia "Alaka'i" Bene
Undergraduate Degree: B.S. in Psychology, Minor in Education, Minor in Social and Economic Justice from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Buckley Public Service Scholar distinction
Public Health Interest: Health policy and research surrounding mental health literacy programs in K12 Education
Why I chose the MPH program at UNC Charlotte: I am looking for a macro perspective to inform research and policy evaluation and UNC at Charlotte offers the curriculum that supports this. UNC Charlotte’s faculty in the MPH department are incredibly supportive and at the forefront of research in my areas of interest like suicide prevention.
About Me: I am incredibly passionate about mental health literacy and ensuring equitable access to resources in k12 schools. There are so many gaps in public education surrounding suicide prevention and social-emotional learning programs and our children are suffering the consequences. I am determined to bridge those gaps using a public health lens with evidence-based policy. Outside of academic and career goals, I love to be active outside. I enjoy hiking and rock climbing. I find lots of joy in painting and mostly paint landscapes.