Malia Sanderson, MPH

2025 RECIPIENT

Affiliate New Professionals Award

Pacific Coast College Health Association

Malia has served as the health educator at the University of Nevada, Reno Student Health Center since August of 2022. A born and raised Nevadan, Malia always aspired to be educated at UNR. After her undergraduate and graduate degrees were completed, she joined the team at Student Health full time, becoming a faculty member for her Wolf Pack family. During her time so far, Malia has distinguished herself as a leader, collaborator, and creative powerhouse with an unwavering commitment and passion for student health. She has executed multiple outreach programs in support of campus wellness on topics including but not limited to nutrition, mental health, sleep, sexual health, eating disorder prevention and treatment, sexual assault prevention, and campus immunization uptake. She is a fierce advocate for health data on her campus, facilitating the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) for UNR. She administrates the UNR SHC’s Free STI Testing program through the semester. All her work is supported through the Peer Health Education program of student volunteers whom she is fortunate to mentor and supervise. Malia also serves as the secretary for the PCCHA Board of Directors and loves to connect with other professionals to create better college health services in the Pacific Region.