Alessandra is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, receive high-quality, culturally relevant care.

Alessandra Olivia Akers is a dedicated scholar currently pursuing dual master’s degrees in social work and public health at the University of Michigan. Her academic journey is marked by her commitment to addressing health disparities and advocating for marginalized communities. Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household in rural western North Carolina, Alessandra’s early life was shaped by financial challenges. Despite these obstacles, she excelled academically, earning a bachelor’s degree with distinction in global studies and Romance languages from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her commitment to social justice was evident in her work with the ¡Vamos! program at UNC Asheville, where she promoted high school completion and access to higher education for Latinx students.

Alessandra’s dedication to community service extended beyond the United States through her Fulbright García-Robles grant in Mexico. As an English teaching assistant and mentor, she facilitated cross-cultural communication and supported students’ educational journeys. Her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic as a medical interpreter in North Carolina further solidified her resolve to improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

At U-M, Alessandra’s passion for social change has continued to grow. Her work with The Children’s Center in Detroit and the Washtenaw County Health Department has focused on community needs assessments, health education, and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. Alessandra’s work as an instructional aide and research assistant at the U-M School of Nursing has equipped her with skills in qualitative data analysis and health communication.

Looking ahead, Alessandra envisions returning to her roots in North Carolina to work in community health programming. She aims to create interventions that address health inequities and empower individuals to participate in finding solutions. With her dual degree, Alessandra is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, receive high-quality, culturally relevant care.

CEW+ celebrates Alessandra’s vision and names her the Virginia Simson Nelson Scholar.