USD Student Anna Harlan Receives Airman of the Year
Harlan was selected from a group of nominees among 94,000 enlisted members in the Air National Guard. She was selected as the 185th ARW's 2024 Airman of the Year in the junior-enlisted category for her superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.
As a traditional guard member who works as a public health technician in the 185th ARW’s Medical Group, Harlan plays a crucial role in maintaining community health and coordinating health programs in deployment medicine, occupational safety, facility sanitation, fetal protection and communicable diseases prevention.
“This recognition means a lot to me considering that I was nominated by my leadership, and I am only in my second year of service,” Harlan said. “I feel honored to have been recognized for my service in and out of uniform. I hope to continue making a difference and impacting others around me.”
Originally from Sioux City, Harlan joined the Sioux City Air National Guard when she was a sophomore at USD, following in footsteps of those who inspire her.
“My older brother, Chris, who is also in the Air National Guard, has been the most inspirational for me,” she said. “I admire his work ethic and authenticity. He has always supported and believed in me.”
In addition to her brother, Harlan credits Captain Eva Kluender, the 185th ARW's public health officer and USD health sciences and Master of Public Health graduate, as someone who has inspired her.
“Captain Kluender has been an exceptional mentor in the military and in public health,” Harlan said. “I hope to follow in her footsteps in becoming a commissioned officer.”
As a student at USD, Harlan will graduate this May with a B.S. in health sciences and a minor in public health. She plans to continue her education in health by pursuing a Master of Public Health.
The first-generation college student and descendant of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska is co-president of Tiospaye Student Council and is active in TRIO, American Indians in Science and Engineering Society, and The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science. Harlan has also been a peer mentor for the Iwacinyehci program, providing support to first-year and transfer Native students. Outside of school, she works part time at Sesdac Inc., an organization that helps people with intellectual or developmental disabilities by developing social and job skills.
Harlan recently completed an epidemiology internship with the South Dakota Department of Health. There, she completed work in disease prevention, such as tracking illnesses, surveying people about their illness and educating them in preventing these infections, primarily regarding enteric diseases like Campylobacteriosis, Cryptosporidiosis and Giardia.
Although Harlan isn’t certain what she wants to do upon graduation, she is interested in chronic and infectious diseases and sees a future career in that field.
“I look forward to developing my leadership skills and leading others,” Harlan said. “I hope to become a public health leader that positively impacts underrepresented communities.”
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