Professional Experience

TEACHING, TRAINING & FACILITATION

• Taught five, in person, on campus Leadership and Group Dynamics (NCLC 375) and Contemporary Health Issues (NCL 410) courses for the New Century College at George Mason University.

• Taught four, in person, on campus Health Education and Promotion (GCH 350) and Community Health Capstone (GCH 465) courses for the Global and Community Health Department at George Mason University.

• Taught one, in person, on campus Behavior Change Course (3201) for the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Colorado.

• Have instructed 38, online Health Education and Promotion (GCH 350), Stress and Well-Being (GCH 325), Health Ethics, Leadership and Advocacy (GCH 376) and Health Behavior Theory (GCH 310) courses for the Global and Community Health Department.

• Facilitated 40 nutrition, physical activity and tobacco cessation interventions for WISEWOMAN enrollees.

• Trained more than 60 facilitators in the FFS and N-O-T smoking cessation programs.

• Taught 190 American Red Cross Community First Aid & Safety, and CPR for Professional Rescuer classes.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION

• Instrumental in maintaining the viability of the Astoria Aquatic Center.  Secured funding; assisted with implementation of new business model.  Chaired Advisory Board.

• Coordinated start up of the Sadler Health Center Corporation, a non-profit community health center for under and uninsured patients in Central Pennsylvania.

• Assisted implementing WISEWOMAN, a women’s cardiovascular health program, throughout Southeast, Alaska.

• Developed evaluation process and analyzed outcomes of two youth tobacco cessation programs for Masters thesis. 

• Partnered with the Texas Dept. of Health, community leaders, school staff, and students to conduct a health needs assessment that led to the implementation of a peer health educators programs in four South Texas high schools.

GRANT & CURRICULUM WRITING

• Wrote and received over $2.1 million dollars operational and capital grants for the Sadler Health Center.

• Researched and wrote corporate and foundation grant proposals totaling more than $868,000.

• Edited Traditions of the Heart Cardiovascular Health curriculum to meet needs of Southeast Alaska population.

• Served on Governor’s Cessation Advisory Group to plan utilization of Washington States Tobacco Settlement funds.

• Authored comprehensive violence prevention & environmental awareness youth curriculum for American Red Cross.

Work History

2014-Present   ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

2013                ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO

2012                ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

2009-2011       PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISOR, Astoria Parks and Recreation, Astoria, OR

2007-2008       NUTRITION FACILITATOR, Weight Watchers, Bristow, VA

2002-2004       EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Sadler Health Center Corporation, Carlisle, PA

2001-2002 HEALTH EDUCATOR III, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, Sitka, AK        

2000-2001        YOUTH EMPLOYMENT MANAGER, Prevention & Treatment Services Inc., Sitka, AK

1998-2000        TOBACCO PROGRAM MANAGER, American Lung Association, Seattle, WA

1997-1998        VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR, Kent Youth and Family Services, Kent, WA

1996-1997        INSTRUCTOR, American Red Cross, Silver Spring, MD  

1996                   CONSULTANT, American Red Cross, National Headquarters, Falls Church, VA     

1994-1995        VOLUNTEER IN SERVICE TO AMERICA, TX Dept of Health, Corpus Christi, TX 

Community Service

2024-Present MEMBER, TOBACCO FREE ST JOHNS, St Johns, FL

2022-Present BOARD MEMBER, ST JOHNS SUMMER SWIM LEAGUE, St Johns, FL

2020-Present     BOARD MEMBER, CREEKSIDE HS ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB, St Johns, FL

2020-2025 BOARD MEMBER, PORPOISES SUMMER SWIM TEAM, St Johns, FL

2021-2022        BOARD MEMBER, COAST GUARD MUTUAL ASSISTANCE, Washington, DC

2013-2019        BOARD MEMBER, HEALTHY WOMEN, HEALTHY LIBERIA!, C.Springs, CO

2012-2021 LEADER, GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA, VA, CO, FL

2010-2011        CHAIRPERSON, ASTORIA PARKS & RECREATION BOARD, Astoria, OR

2008-2011        MEMBER, TOBACCO FREE COALITION CLATSOP COUNTY, Astoria, OR

2008-2010        VICE PRESIDENT, CAPTAIN GRAY’S PORT OF PLAY, Astoria, OR

2009                 MEMBER, OF MAYORS AQUATIC CENTER TASK FORCE, Astoria, OR

2000-2002        EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN II, Sitka, AK

1993-2002        AMERICAN RED CROSS CPR INSTRUCTOR, VA, TX, MD, WA, AK

Publications

• Vlaun, Kristen.  “ON DEMAND: Using StrengthsFinder assessment results to pair students up for more successful and meaningful group work.” The Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference Proceedings, September 2021. https://doi.org/10.13021/itlcp.2021.3081

• Cavanaugh, N., Cheney, K., Sadleir-Hart, L., Smith, J., Vlaun, K.  "Community Collaboration - A Weaving."  Public Health Management Practices, January 2002.

• "Traditions of the Heart."  Sitka.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, WISEWOMAN Program, 2002.

• Vlaun, Kristen.  "Secondhand Smoke: The Laws and your Rights."  MPH Practicum, University of Washington, 2000.

• Vlaun, Kristen.  "Effectiveness of Gender Specific Smoking Cessation Program."  Thesis, University of Washington, 2000.