During his time at UConn, Curtis served as a graduate assistant at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health where he worked on projects related to food access and community-based participatory research. He collaborated with Dr. Caitlin Eicher Caspi and Dr. Kristen Cooksey Stowers. Dr. Caspi is a fellow Hamden Hall alumna, graduating in 1998, and served as his doctoral mentor and advisor. He successfully defended his dissertation titled "Understanding Multilevel Factors Associated with Food Insecurity and its Risks Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic” to earn his degree.

“My focus on health science and policy stems from a passion for community and a desire to see people from all backgrounds have equitable access to everything required for an active and healthy life,” noted Curtis. “I understand that many of the health outcomes we see are a direct result of decisions made at the policy level. It's essential to have individuals with compassion and lived experience helping to inform those policies.”

Curtis graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2016 with a bachelor of science degree in public health. He went on to obtain his master’s degree in healthcare administration/management from the University of New Haven in 2020. 

The Hamden Hall connection runs deep as he returned to the pines in the capacity of athletics as the Middle School Flag Football coach for the last three years. He played football while at Johns Hopkins and assisted with the Hamden Hall Varsity Football Team in 2016 and 2017.

“I have some playing and coaching experience, so this was an excellent opportunity to reconnect with the Hamden Hall community and teach a new generation of Hornets about football in a safe and fun environment.”