Veronica Lajoie Email and Phone Number

Plans, develops, organizes and manages policy and program development for SNAP-Ed initiatives in the Minnesota Department of Human Services' Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). Establishes program goals and objectives, monitors compliance and evaluates policies and procedures for complex program administration for SNAP Education programming. Coordinates and manages activities that expand efforts to increase service in SNAP Education initiatives. Directs, organizes and manages information-sharing, training and technical assistance to build the capacity of Tribal Nations, land grant universities, and nonprofit agencies who work to promote nutrition education and physical activity. Initiates, builds and sustains strategic partnerships essential to carry out the mission of the office and advance innovative policy and program initiatives to support nutrition education and physical activity informed by public health approaches to policy systems and environmental change.

My role as a Community Consultant is to directly inform the Educational Campaign. The Educational Campaign a statewide, multi-year project initiated by MNCCTN. The purpose is to educate diverse and varied audiences across Minnesota about clinical trials, and engaging with community using innovative, culturally relevant, and equity-focused approaches.

I am partnering with top faculty and promoters of Indigenous advancement in health and education, volunteering as a technical assistant, evaluator and aide in delivering outcomes of Native American Mentoring Program via poster, publication (pending), and University of Minnesota Best Practices in Health Sciences Education Virtual Conference presentation (May, 2021). NAMP is an excellent dynamic program that empowers Indigenous students and communities.

• Designed 4, 6-week program preparing pre-professional students in health careers topics.• Designed curriculum and lectured on math, scientific research and writing, regenerative medicine, and public speaking to 20 - 25 students. • Created problem-based learning case studies. • Implemented scientific lab experiences for 20-25 students.

Highlights:• Designed program schedule for 4, 6-week program preparing pre-professional students in health careers.• Designed curriculum in math, scientific research and writing, regenerative medicine, and public speaking. • Created problem-based learning case studies. • Ordered lab supplies for new teaching science lab, managed a $30,000 budget.

Worked with a high school teacher in STEM learning. Created lesson plans and activities. Gave lessons and graded assignments. Assisted with science fair projects. Developed a research project that attempted to address declining ACT scores at the high school.

Worked on acquisition and display of private collection of Native American art and artifacts. Catalogued antiquities. Directed an exhibit.