University of Minnesota Athletics
Alexis Russell (Gymnastics), Class of '10
3/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Gopher Connect
March 16, 2014
Alexis Russell competed in a variety of events for the Minnesota women's gymnastics team, qualifying for the NCAA Championships as an all-around gymnast her senior season. Armed with a degree in Political Science, she left the U and spent the next three years in Washington, D.C. working for an environmental advocacy non-profit. Realizing she was passionate about other areas of policy, she explored opportunities to switch into public health. Last September, Russell began classwork in the Public Health Administration and Policy graduate program at Minnesota. Additionally, she is interning at the Capitol for the 2014 legislative session underneath the Chair of the Health, Human Services and Housing committee.
"I'm really hoping to gain as much experience as possible. I hope to do policy advocacy and/or government relations for a healthcare organization," said Russell. "I'm also interested in working for an elected official as their health care policy advisor. If someone came to his/her office and said we're interested in this initiative or that, I could look into it, research it and advise that individual."
While investigating her opportunities to switch into public health, Russell made a point to connect with those who work in healthcare to discuss work in the field, an exercise she recalls from her Gopher Connect experience.
"[Gopher Connect] did this mentoring program, that's one thing I was able to take advantage of. They helped connect us with former athletes that were in fields that we were interested in."
When Russell looks back on that experience, and what she is presently working on, she strongly feels exploring new interests and building new relationships are the best thing any student-athlete can do.
"Really take it upon yourself to explore what interests you outside of sports. For instance, if I'm a gymnast
but I'm interested in health care, I would find a way to get engaged with groups that are interested in health care as well. You don't know if you want to do something until you talk to people about it. Start getting introduced to people in a certain field you're interested in. Get more engaged with the school and don't be afraid to explore the side of you outside of sports."
