Shannon Vyvijal

Shannon is currently a Social Connection Fellow for the Foundation for Social Connection and the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness, where she is responsible for assisting the Foundation and Coalition with research, innovation, and planning.

Shannon is pursuing a Master’s of Public Policy at American University, with anticipated graduation in May 2023. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2019 with a BA in Sociology and minors in History and Ethnic Studies. 

As a student, she analyzed policies and systems that contributed to race, class, and gender inequities. She also founded a student organization committed to advancing diversity and inclusion on her university’s campus. With a passion for research, policy analysis, and social justice, Shannon is committed to using her skills to address social problems and inequities.

What drives you to work on addressing social isolation & loneliness and fostering social connection?

Since getting involved in this work, I’ve realized how much people underestimate the effects of social isolation and loneliness and the power of social connection. With so many people struggling with these experiences – especially people from my generation – we need more people to prioritize this issue of disconnection and collaborate with one another to ensure we can all thrive.