Q&A with Calandra Lindstadt: Expanded Rural Engagement Improved Health Specialist, Western Region
This Q&A is part of a continuing series introducing the newly hired specialists who are part of CSU Office of Engagement and Extension’s Expanded Rural Engagement initiative.
Casandra Lindstadt is one of 14 new Expanded Rural Engagement specialists who recently joined CSU Extension. Lindstadt will be focusing on improving public health in Colorado’s Western region, which includes 16 counties covering over 32,000 square miles and roughly one third of the state.
Lindstadt earned a Ph.D. in advertising from The University of Texas at Austin where she also received an M.S. in health behavior and health education.
Just a few weeks into her new position, Lindstadt shared what excites her about the job, how her background positions her to make an impact in the community, and what community needs she hopes to address through her work.
“I’m really stoked to be part of such a service-oriented organization. I’m passionate about helping people live their healthiest lives and it seems like CSU Extension is a great opportunity to get involved and support Colorado communities.”
“I grew up working on my grandparents farm out in Haxtun, Colorado in the northeastern corner of the state, so rural Colorado is pretty near and dear to my heart. Professionally, I’ve studied public health and health communication at The University of Texas at Austin – hook ’em! – or… I need to work on my Ram.
I specialized in community-based participatory research and persuasive health communication strategies. So, I’ve worked as a project manager for grant funded public health interventions in a lot of different contexts, including mental health screening for adolescents, type 2 diabetes self-management and child blood lead poisoning.
I’m really excited to bring these skills to the Western Slope as we collaborate with community leaders to improve the health of rural Coloradoans.”
“Mental health is something that I am extremely passionate about. I believe that everyone deserves access to quality mental health care services. I don’t quite yet know what it will look like, but I’m really excited that mental health is already such an important part of the rural engagement initiative and I’m looking forward to figuring out how I can help.”
“I love this question! I’m a collaborator at heart and I love being part of a team and working to solve a difficult or crunchy problem. Personally, I just work better with a diversity of perspectives and skills and lived experiences to draw from. Plus, for me it’s just more fun when we’re all in it together.”
“Access to quality health services is a huge issue. As I said before, I’m passionate about access to quality mental health care and during the Covid-19 lockdown we saw the toll on mental health. It can be difficult to obtain mental health services even in urban areas due to the high cost, lack of licensed professional counselors and therapists.
We need rural Coloradoans. They support our country through their hard work. It’s our job to find ways to support them so they can live, work and play in healthy and safe communities.”
