Kaydin Griffin, born and raised in Boise, recently achieved the status of a double Bronco. Having earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences in 2022, she completed her Master’s in Public Health and walked the commencement stage this May.
Griffin takes pride in pursuing her college education in her hometown. She believes “Boise State has countless enriching experiences and study pathways for students” – after starting in a pre-pharmacy pathway, she developed a passion for public health prevention and intervention programming. This switch was fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and has propelled her towards a career dedicated to making a difference while remaining true to her Idaho roots.
The Masters in Public Health program ignited her passion for mental health research, particularly focused on Idaho’s youth. This interest aligns seamlessly with Dr. Megan Smith’s Communities for Youth upstream prevention initiative where she served as a Graduate Research Assistant for the program. Griffin had incredible opportunities to make an impact – she assisted with two manuscripts submitted for publication, presented research at two national conferences, and led communication efforts with critical community and organizational partners.
In her role, Griffin and the Communities for Youth team collaborated closely with five Idaho high schools and respective junior highs to empower communities by connecting parents, schools, and kids with the capacity to recognize and address youth mental health so that all may thrive. At community meetings she facilitated focus groups and small group discussions with youth, pertaining to mental health, then shared the findings with community partners and organizations.
“Being a GA has allowed me to take what I’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to our Idaho communities. It has also given me connections to others who work in this space and have provided me with guidance, insight, and support,”
Kaydin Griffin
Kaydin’s work with Communities for Youth is helping her step closer into a career in public health and addressing the massive health inequities in Idaho. Her personal vision encompasses three key areas of impact: promoting health access equity, employing data-driven approaches for storytelling and decision making, and driving prevention efforts.
“Idaho holds a special place in my heart…after graduation I hope to improve the quality of life for Idahoans through meaningful research, public health initiatives, and active community engagement,” says Griffin.
Kaydin is a true Bronco – a change maker who is committed to improving the communities she serves through promoting a lifetime of health and wellness.