Emily Henderson

Emily Henderson is a junior in the Honors College at the University of South Carolina studying Public Health Law and Policy. Her interdisciplinary degree blends public health, social psychology, and political science to examine how policy shapes health‑seeking behaviors and access to care. A native South Carolinian, Emily is passionate about serving her community. She co-founded Healing Hands at USC, a student organization that creates handmade items for children receiving care at Prisma Children’s Hospital, along with volunteering for a senatorial campaign and population health initiatives. Studying abroad in South Africa this summer deepened her understanding of how history and culture intersect with policy. As a congressional intern for US Senator Lindsey Graham, Emily gained hands-on experience helping South Carolinians navigate federal health systems. Her academic work is complemented by research experience in the Carolina Health and Relationship Mechanisms Lab, where she focuses on intrapersonal relationships and substance abuse in American families. Upon graduation from the University of South Carolina, she plans to obtain her Masters in Health Policy Services and Management before going to law school, using her skills to build systems that serve all South Carolinians.