Erica S. Anderson, LMHC-QS is a dual Ph.D./M.P.H. candidate at the University of South Florida. She’s pursuing a doctorate in Behavioral and Community Sciences with a specialization in Cultural Competence and Health Disparities. At the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Erica decided to pursue an MPH to better understand the potential impact of the pandemic on mental and behavioral health disparities. Before matriculating at USF, Erica earned her B.S. in Psychology and Minor in Philosophy at the University of Tampa, and a M.S. in Counseling from Bethune-Cookman University. As a first-generation college graduate, education and sharing resources to empower individuals to make informed decisions are at the foundation of her trajectory.