Risk and Prevention

Alumni & Careers

Michelle Champagne
Ed.M. 1998

Michelle Champagne currently works at Governors State University's College of Health Professions as the Coordinator for Grants and Project Development. As the grant coordinator she oversees several grant initiatives that help to minimize health disparities in underserved minority populations.

In her most recent trip to Harvard she presented, Finding the Phoenix: Identifying the Unrecognized Strengths in Bereft Communities of Color at HUGSE's Alumni of Color Conference from March 4-6, 2005 entitled, Power, Politics and the Experiences of People of Color in Education. Her presentation was part of a four year $1 million dollar Saving Kids Through Integrated Prevention Programming (Project SKIPP) grant initiative funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Ms. Champagne has a master of education degree in Risk and Prevention, as well as, Human Development & Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, MA. As a former Lead Agent for the Illinois Department of Public Health, she has several years of experience working with schools, health departments, and community-based organizations in the areas of substance abuse prevention, HIV prevention, research methods, training, outcome-based curriculum/program development, needs assessment, community planning, program evaluation and grant writing.

Michelle credits her experience in the Risk and Prevention Program at Harvard, under the tutelage of Dr. Nakkula and Dr. San Antonio, as the foundation that prepared her for this important work. Through the Risk and Prevention Practicum course, Drs. Nakkula and San Antonio stretched my personal and professional boundaries, so that when I entered the workforce I was amply prepared to deal with the challenges and rigors faced by the populations I serve. The practicum course was both demanding and stimulating; however, the rewards continue to pay off! I would strongly recommend the R & P program to students, it is a definitely a good investment in your future.