The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) and the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc., (NCHEC) have announced the names of three recipients for the Helen P. Cleary Scholarship for the April 2025 CHES® examination.
This award, first instituted in 2019, is designed to assist full-time undergraduate or graduate students with the fees associated with the examination. Applicants for this award were to demonstrate both a financial need and passion for their chosen field of Health Education and Promotion during their academic careers. NCHEC sponsors this scholarship opportunity, offered twice yearly, and the awards process is administered by the SOPHE Awards Committee.
The names of the April 2025 scholarship recipients are:
- Emily Brown, Rutgers School of Public Health
- Karine David, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health
- Yunjin Kim, Liberty University
Karine David is a second-year MPH student studying Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health. She received a B.S. in Biology Pre-Medicine from Florida A&M University.
Says David, “I have a passion for sexual and women’s health and plan to use my knowledge in research, community outreach and health education to empower young and adult women from underserved communities.”
Emily Brown is a student at the Rutgers School of Public Health with a concentration in Urban Public Health and Health Policy.
“I strongly believe that access to healthy social determinants—like education, healthcare, safe living conditions, and equal opportunities—should be recognized as a fundamental human right,” says Brown, “and I am confident that obtaining the CHES® credential will enhance my ability to promote, educate, and advocate for health and social justice, ultimately advancing my career in public health.”
In addition to her studies, Brown serves as a wellness ambassador for the Rutgers School of Public Health and works part-time at the Rutgers Health Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance office.
Yunjin Kim is an international student from Korea pursuing a B.S. in Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion at Liberty University. Growing up in Indonesia, a developing country, Kim witnessed the harsh struggles many impoverished children face in accessing education and opportunities.
“These experiences inspired my deep commitment to develop initiatives that empower underprivileged children to pursue their dreams and unlock their full potential,” said Kim.
The next application period for the Helen P. Scholarship will run from April 14-18, 2025, for the October 2025 CHES® examination. For more information about the Helen P. Cleary Scholarship, please visit www.nchec.org/scholarships, or www.sophe.org.
