Carla Valdez

Carla Valdez is currently a faculty member at California State University, Northridge. Currently, she works with students, sharing professional and academic experiences.

Her public health journey started at the University of Arizona and was inspired by her mentor, Dr. Sheila Parker. She was introduced to community health education and felt supported for her passion for this profession. Today, Valdez is particularly interested in sexual and reproductive health, where she believes in the power and importance of prevention and education.

Valdez is also very involved and is currently serving on the HESPA III panel, a study jointly led by SOPHE and National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). She also serves as a Director on the Division Board for the Certification of Health Education Specialists (DBCHES) for NCHEC and is on the Board of Directors for a local Planned Parenthood affiliate.

In her free time, she loves to read and started a book club with her friends in 2005 and is still ongoing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carla also picked up crocheting and has been doing so ever since, as she was taught basics by her late grandmother.