Elizabeth England-Kennedy, an assistant professor of public health at New Mexico State University, has been awarded the 2024 Karen Denard Goldman Mentor Award from the Society for Public Health Education.
The Society for Public Health Education, or SOPHE, is an independent professional society of health educators, academics and education researchers that supports leaders in public health and health education to advance healthy and equitable communities across the world.
The award recognizes a national SOPHE member in an academic or practice setting who has made a significant contribution to the preparation or performance of health educators and has successfully forged the link between practice and research.
“I am honored to be selected as a winner for this esteemed national award, especially because it recognizes my work with students and peers, which is at the core of our work as professors,” England-Kennedy said. “It also reflects the emphasis on mentoring in our new College of Health, Education and Social Transformation. I would like to thank the selection committee and SOPHE itself, not only for this award, but for all the work it does to support public health educators like the students and graduates in our program.”
England-Kennedy joined the Department of Public Health Sciences in the College of HEST in 2020. Her professional specialties include the intersections of health and culture, health equity, social and environmental justice, behavioral health, suicide and suicidality, and homelessness.
“Our faculty are doing exceptional work, and this award is a testimony to Dr. England-Kennedy’s commitment to our students, both in the classroom and as a research mentor,” said Becky Pearson, head of the Department of Public Health Sciences.
England-Kennedy received a doctoral degree in medical anthropology from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in public health from NMSU. Before returning to NMSU, she served as assistant professor and program coordinator at Rhode Island College.
Jagdish Khubchandani, a professor of public health at NMSU, nominated England-Kennedy for the award.
“This is a very prestigious award, and Dr. England-Kennedy exemplifies the quality of interdisciplinary public health education provided by our institution,” Khubchandani said. “We continue to make a mark on the national landscape of public health education.”
For more information about the award, visit https://www.sophe.org/news/sophe-announces-2024-award-recipients/.
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CUTLINE: Elizabeth England-Kennedy, an assistant professor of public health at New Mexico State University, has received the 2024 Karen Denard Goldman Mentor Award from the Society for Public Health Education. (NMSU photo Josh Bachman)