Karina Collins

Health Policy and Management '26

April 4, 2026

Why did you choose Rollins? And why did you decide to study Health Policy with an MCH Certificate?

I chose Rollins because it allowed me to return home to Atlanta while also studying at one of the top schools of public health. Atlanta is such an important hub for public health, policy organizations, and advocacy groups, so being in that environment gave me opportunities to connect with professionals. I decided to study Health Policy and Management with a Maternal and Child Health certificate because of personal experiences within my own family. I’ve seen firsthand how difficult the childbirth experience can be when families have to navigate complicated healthcare systems, limited access to care, or policies that don’t fully support mothers and families. Those experiences made me realize how much policy decisions shape maternal health outcomes.

What experiences did you bring with you to Rollins?

Before coming to Rollins, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Health Education and Promotion and worked for the American Heart Association in Community Impact, so I already had an idea of public health concepts like health behavior, community health, and prevention strategies. I think that background helped me understand the importance of addressing health issues in policy. I also had the opportunity to intern in the U.S. Senate as a legislative intern for Senator Warnock. In that role, I supported the legislative team by tracking policy issues, responding to constituent concerns, and observing how federal policy decisions are made. That experience really sparked my interest in health policy and showed me how policy can directly influence the health and well-being of communities.

Could you talk about your APE experience working at the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP)? 

At AMCHP, I served as a Policy intern where I supported federal legislative efforts and communications. One of the coolest experiences I had during that time was supporting the federal appropriations process. I helped draft a congressional support letter advocating for maternal and child health funding, coordinated outreach to congressional offices, contacted partner organizations to build support, and helped develop communications materials around the effort. It was really exciting to see how advocacy organizations work behind the scenes to influence funding decisions and elevate maternal and child health priorities at the federal level. I also had an amazing supervisor who mentored me throughout the experience. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the policy landscape and took the time to walk me through how research, advocacy, and government affairs intersect. 

What has been your favorite experience at Rollins?

One of my favorite experiences at Rollins was my first Convos on Tap event during my first semester. It was such a fun and welcoming way to meet new people when I had just started the program. Being able to connect with other students in a relaxed environment really helped me feel like part of the Rollins community right away. Events like that made it easy to build friendships across different departments and programs, which is something I’ve really appreciated about Rollins.

What will you be doing after graduating from Rollins? 

After graduating from Rollins, I’ll be starting a position in Government Affairs with the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). In this role, I’ll be working on state policy and advocacy efforts that support nurses who provide care to women, mothers, and newborns.

What do you enjoy doing most outside of public health? 

Outside of public health, I love traveling and going to concerts, but probably a little too much. I’ve been to almost 50 concerts and hope to eventually go to every state, since I’ve been to 19 so far!