Vaccine Education (Peer-to-Peer) Project Manager

athena.sfeir@ndsu.edu

640O Aldevron Tower

Athena Sfeir is the Peer-to-Peer Vaccine Education Project Manager at NDSU CIRE, collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Health. In this role, Athena oversees the Peer-to-Peer education initiative for healthcare clinicians throughout Minnesota, with a focus on areas exhibiting low HPV vaccination rates. The primary objective of this project is to enhance clinician understanding of effective strategies to address patient vaccine hesitancy during clinical interactions, ultimately aiming to improve HPV vaccination rates in targeted regions.

Originally from Washington, D.C., Athena moved to southern California in 2013 to pursue an undergraduate education at Claremont McKenna College. They earned a Bachelor's degree in Developmental Psychology and a minor in Biology in 2017. Following graduation, Athena expanded their global perspective through a Fulbright Fellowship in Cyprus, where they taught English and studied the Cypriot special education system. Upon returning to the U.S., Athena worked as an early childhood educator in Washington, D.C. for several years before transitioning to program and project management within the nonprofit health sector.

Athena relocated to Fargo-Moorhead in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing to contribute to public health and nonprofit initiatives. Their professional focus includes health education, LGBTQ+ health and rights, disability advocacy, and promoting Universal Design principles to foster inclusive, accessible spaces and communities.

Outside of work, Athena enjoys spending time outdoors with their dog, Este, reading mystery and nonfiction books, and exploring thrift stores and estate sales with their partner in search of hidden treasures.