Faith Kollie

UConn School of Dental Medicine

I was born in Liberia and moved to the U.S. with my family when I was younger. We relocated to Worcester, MA, a vibrant and diverse city where I was raised. I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a bachelor of science degree in biology and a minor in business.

I’ve been passionate about serving my community since childhood, volunteering with my local church and participating in a high school organization that worked against homelessness. At UMass Lowell, I was involved in organizations such as the Association of Students of African Origin and the National Residence Hall Honorary, while volunteering with the House of Hope in Lowell and Bright Smiles, Bright Future. Community service experiences like these have shown me the necessity of bringing awareness to marginalized communities. This passion led me to host an oral-care workshop promoting dental education and resources for children in low-income families. Through these experiences, I developed skills in communication, service, collaboration, and event planning.

When I learned about the Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars Program, I was immediately drawn to its mission of addressing health disparities through team-based care. The program will allow me to provide community outreach and dental health education to underserved populations. I also hope it will help me to strengthen my interprofessional skills and become well-rounded as a future dentist.