Biography
Hope Rollins serves as the Director of Education and Training and Equity in Action Project Lead for Education and Communication Services at the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI). MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged non-profit public health institute dedicated to working to center equity, promote health, and advance well-being for all.
She provides programmatic, financial, and administrative oversight for the event management and continuing education teams, annually developing and producing 300+ trainings and virtual educational offerings. The average annual grant funding for her team is $4.4M. Her work entails business development, trainer coaching, compliance, and strategic outreach and promotion. Additionally, she was appointed in 2022 to serve as the Co-Chair of the MPHI Staff of Color Affinity Group (SOCAG), a voluntary employee group whose mission is to actively attract, support, develop, and retain staff of color at MPHI. The group facilitates human connectedness to foster relationship building and provide a psychological safe space for members to show up as themselves to rest and heal with others who share similar experiences. Also in 2022, she was appointed to the Executive Committee of MPHI’s Anti-Oppression Leadership Team, whose initiative is to build internal capacity to intentionally embed an anti-oppression framework into the organization’s systems and culture.
Ms. Rollins completed her four-year term on the American Public Health Association Executive Board, culminating as the Board Chair in 2022. She has since returned to the Michigan Public Health Association as the Affiliate Representative to the Governing Council of APHA completing a three-year term. Past APHA experience have encompassed serving on Action Board, as Region V Representative and Secretary on the Council of Affiliates, and on ad hoc climate change initiatives. Outside work, she works with various community and faith-based organizations and boards to support grant and programmatic initiatives, through her consulting firm, Hope for All Occasions, LLC. She is also Associate Minister and devoted member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Lansing Alumnae Chapter and serves as the technology chair and webmaster.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary in Health Studies from Michigan State University. She is completing her Masters in Business Administration from Davenport University. She is a devoted wife to Chris for 25 years and mother of daughter, Annescia and twin sons, Jahleel and Jeriah.
Candidate Statement
Running as a candidate for APHA President-Elect is a humble honor. From serving as the Michigan state affiliate president, ARGC, Region V Representative, Action Board member, and APHA Executive Board member, culminating as Chair in 2021-2022, I have witnessed firsthand the passion of the collective spirit of our membership.
While reflecting on the 150th APHA Meeting, I vividly recall and felt inspired by the thoughtfully placed archives and historical milestones, populations and the field of public health have endured.
We are at another pivotal time in our nation, post-pandemic, where national attention has witnessed the social will, intentionality, and necessity for public health. This is our season to galvanize our rich membership's talents, networks, and expertise to impact further change. I seek to uplift the lived experiences of our students, early professionals, retirees, academia, direct care, and service care practitioners to move our efforts forward. Our growth and viability is only limited by our thinking.
As I enjoy the extra time gained while being an empty-nester and personally scaling back from other commitments, I aim to serve our membership - as a facilitator, educator, and conduit for progress.
My primary focus areas:
- Mental Wellness
- Public Health Workforce Pipeline Development
- Investment in Centering Equity through Action
Meeting individuals and communities where they are is critical for advancement. Centering equity does not only entail creating diversity, equity, and belonging positions - but providing awareness, education, and building and bridging relationships. Offering a seat is the norm but giving space for a voice/a vote and investing time and resources into populations and communities is a necessity.
Leveraging my 30+ years of experience, I have the leadership perspective, social and political will, and zeal to build community and association capacity and empowerment. Allow me to serve you.
View Hope Rollins' CV (PDF)
Response to Written Questions for Candidates (PDF)