Biography
Tina Handeland is a citizen of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. She joined the Center in February of 2022. Tina works as a Senior Research Coordinator II with the Great Lakes Hub and is involved in various roles with Together Overcoming Diabetes, Healing Pathways, CIRCLE, Gii’igoshimong, and IndigeFit.
Prior to joining the Center, Tina’s initial involvement with research started in 2013 as a member of a Community Research Council where she served as an interviewer, an independent evaluator, a focus group facilitator, and a journal collaborator. She has served as an advocate for health in multiple capacities for Indigenous families across different positions that include youth development, early childhood, and home visiting programs. Tina continues to collaborate with the Tribal Research Committee, Colorado School of Public Health, who partners with Head Start, Home Visiting and Child Care programs.
Tina has a BAS degree in Interdisciplinary Studies-Human Development from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and has a MS degree in Psychology from Purdue University Global. Tina is expected to complete her Public Health Training Certificate for American Indian Health Professional in the summer of 2026. She has many interests that involve her Ojibwe culture such as harvesting, making regalia and spiritual practices. Tina also has a passion for the outdoors with her family and friends that include hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, and so much more.