The people who work for Riley County are truly amazing. We make a point to celebrate their efforts, so they know how much we appreciate their dedication. Shanika Rose was voted Employee of the Month for March 2022 because she is an advocate for change, demonstrates phenomenal leadership skills, and makes her coworkers feel heard.
Shanika’s title is Health Educator/Accreditation Coordinator for the Riley County Health Department (RCHD). She is responsible for making sure the department follows the guidelines of the Public Health Accreditation Board. She not only makes the department better for the public, but also makes sure staff have the resources, training, and support they need to do their jobs well. Shanika is a Work Well Advocate and serves on the Food and Farm Council, Flint Hills Wellness Coalition, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
“I’m happy to be here and proud of the way people in Riley County step up when needed,” said Rose. “During difficult moments these past two years, I have found support from the people I work with and really get the sense that we’re all in this together.”
Shanika holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services from Liberty University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies and Human Services from Kansas State University. She is a charter member of the local graduate chapter Gamma Alpha Lambda Zeta of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and continues to serve as a mentor to the Epsilon Mu Chapter of her sorority at K-State.
Shanika is relatively new to healthcare. Her career began at the Crisis Center and she has served as a case advocate, helping people through domestic violence situations for most of her career. She also worked for Army Community Service in the Family Advocacy Program and served as a Career Counselor for the Army. Her job at the Health Department fits with her personal skill set and mission. She’s a helper and gets satisfaction from participating in work that benefits the community.
Looking toward the future, Shanika hopes to continue supporting and promoting the Health Department.
“Public health includes all the things that impact us as humans. It’s not just limited to clinic-related activities. Public health includes all the places where you live, learn, work, and play. A lot of great things happen at the health department, but people don’t really know much about it,” said Rose. “COVID-19 made people more aware of how important health departments really are. I want to help maintain that public awareness, so people know we’re here to serve them.”
We are grateful to have Shanika on the team and look forward to her continued leadership and advocacy for the Health Department.
