Emerson Fellow
Laura Harker
19th Class, 2012-2013
A native of Beaufort, North Carolina, Laura graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012 with a degree in health policy and management. As an advocate for health equity, Laura was a lead organizer for the annual Minority Health Conference, served as health chair for the campus NAACP chapter, and participated in an alternative spring break trip to Atlanta focused on urban poverty. She also worked on a statewide initiative at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to promote healthy and affordable foods in convenience stores in low-income communities.
Field placement: Children’s Health Watch
Boston, Massachusetts
Laura assisted the Children’s HealthWatch team with research and advocacy efforts. She conducted interviews with immigrant advocacy and service organizations to write a report on very low food security among children of immigrants in Baltimore, Boston, Little Rock, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia. Laura also created a policy brief on the potentially harmful effects of immediate SNAP benefit loss or reduction for families who increase their income.
Policy placement: Food Research & Action Center
Washington, D.C.
Laura developed a guide for expanding participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) through community based outreach. She also coordinated online surveys of state agencies and family child care home sponsors to gather input on best practices for nutrition and wellness in CACFP.