Castle Pines Graduate Pursues Genetic Counseling After Public Health Work

Olivia Wilson returned to Castle Pines this winter after completing her Bachelor of Science at California Polytechnic State University in June 2025. The profile of her journey—rooted in arts and science—traces a path from early years in the King’s Crossing neighborhood, where she moved at age 14, through competitive and campus dance, to a campus role as a peer health educator that steered her toward public health and ultimately genetic counseling.

At Cal Poly, Wilson combined coursework in biology and statistics with two minors, balancing laboratory and quantitative training with extracurricular commitments in dance. Her campus work focused on health education; among the topics she taught were Narcan distribution and harm-reduction strategies. That hands-on experience with practical public-health interventions helped her see how scientific knowledge, clear communication and emotional support come together in patient-facing careers.

Wilson is now applying to graduate programs in genetic counseling, a field that blends clinical genetics, risk assessment and counseling. The profile presents her decision as the product of sustained interests: a love of movement and expression through dance, and an evolving commitment to community health education. While the details of her family were described briefly in the profile, the clearer throughline is her return to Castle Pines as she readies for graduate study.

For Douglas County residents, Wilson’s trajectory matters in several ways. Her background in harm-reduction education speaks to local public-health priorities, including overdose prevention and community outreach. Her combination of biology and statistics reflects the growing premium on data-literate health professionals who can translate complex information for patients and families. As she applies to graduate programs, her potential return as a trained genetic counselor could expand local access to specialized counseling that integrates medical information with emotional and decision-making support.

Wilson’s story also offers a practical template for local students: interdisciplinary undergraduate training, campus public-health work, and community-rooted experience can open pathways into emerging health professions. As Douglas County navigates workforce and public-health challenges, graduates like Wilson who blend technical skills, communication and community experience represent a tangible resource for local health capacity.