Denisa Livingston, MPH, BA

Tribal Affiliation and Ethnic/Racial Background: 


Diné (Navajo)

Current Position:

Project Coordinator-Dine’ Community Advocacy Alliance

2016-2017 EmPOWERED-to-Serve American Heart Association National Ambassador

and Community Health Advocate

Degree(s):

Bachelor of Arts, University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Masters of Public Health, University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Area of Focus:

Community Health

Public Health

Community Organizing

Policy Development

What motivated you to obtain your educational/career goals?

My motivation to pursue my educational and career goals is to become an agent of

positive and healthy change. I strongly believe that a foundation of an academic

foundation is essential to further expand my ability to be a creative and effective thinker

and communicator. My career goals have provided an opportunity to be a doer,

accomplishing and contributing to the health of our indigenous people while being a

difference maker.

What steps did you take to achieve those goals? 


I have planned, explored, organized, and many times restructured my short-term and

long-term goals to help achieve my educational and career goals. There have been many

various steps integrating advisors, mentors, and supporters in different capacities to

further influence and encourage my journey. Each interval included many practices

which some included discipline, focus, self-care, stress management, and celebration of

little to meaningful achievements. Overall, patience, persistence, and diligence are keys

to the path of success.

Describe any obstacles or barriers that you encountered along your path. 


Obstacles and barriers are always present at every stage whether we struggle with a

homework assignment or execution of a major project activity, but what is important is

our ability to see each challenge as an opportunity. I have learned that through each

challenge, the more difficult, the more growth and progress I have made. Instead of

limiting our abilities and skills, believing we are impossible, I believe anything is

possible if we embrace this “I’m Possible” mission.

What advice do you have for college students? 


You are a representative of your ambitions, values, goals, your family, your community,

your tribe, and never forget, your future. You are the agent to create a future to positively

impact the world. Remember you are important, you are have been given unique abilities

and skills that are different than others. Explore your uniqueness and further develop

yourself to be a person of great inspiration and influence. Invest in yourself by always

including your family, history, culture, and faith tradition, because you are worth it!

Is there anything else that you want to say? 


We are the creators of our future and mentorship is crucial in shaping the future lives of

our Indigenous youth. We need to provide opportunities to help our youth grow, prosper,

and succeed, and United Natives is one pathway to embrace.