Dr. Anderson’s email is slanderson@roanoke.edu
How long have you been at Roanoke College?
11 years. Whoa—how’d that happen?!
What do you teach here?
I’m a sociologist who currently heads up the Public Health Studies program, so I currently teach a lot of our introductory course in Public Health, along with Social Theory, Intro to Sociology, and gen-ed courses on autism and HIV. I also get to do a good number of independent studies with students, which involve them either working alongside me in my research or working on research of their own.
Where did you go to school?
I earned my BA in Sociology at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, then worked at the UNC School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, then for a drug and alcohol-prevention non-profit in Sacramento, CA, then earned both my MA and PhD at the University of Virginia. That makes me some kind of Wahoo-Wave-Heel, I suppose!
What do you like about Roanoke College?
The people, the relationships, and the opportunities that seem to endlessly present themselves. I’m not a big believer in fate, but I landed exactly where I am supposed to be, teaching exactly the students I’m meant to teach.
What do you do in HPAG?
Like everyone in the group, I do a little bit of everything. BUT, my main focus is on pre-Public Health and pre-Nursing, and especially helping you work through the necessary courses for the graduate study. I’m happy to assist you in thinking about the whole array of health-related futures, and then if I’m not the person who works in your field, I’ll direct to you them!
Why should students engage with HPAG?
We are awesome—that’s why! No, really, not that we aren’t awesome, but you should engage with us—get on email lists, join clubs, use us as additional advisors—we have lots of good information, some good strategies to help you move forward, and are truly here to help while you are here at RC to think through what might be next and how to get there.
What is a fun fact about you that people might not know?
I was the captain of my high school dance team (yep, pom-poms and the whole works), and my friends from those days remain the strong women I still call my dearest friends.
What advice would you like to give to new and current students?
Imagine a future where your work and life are meaningful for you, and that in some way—big or small—make the world a better place. We all have gifts and talents that allow us to find the convergence of those two things, and being at Roanoke means you also have the necessary resources all around you. Try new things, ask questions that get you to people who can help you grow, and work your tail off while keeping the broader view of your whole life, not just your test scores. But do work your tail off: go to class, use the resources at your disposal, and take as many opportunities that come your way as seems possible. As you get closer to graduating, you’ll have focused in some way or another—try not to worry about that at the start!