Three outstanding students selected by SOPHE to receive registration fees and study materials for the Fall 2025 CHES® examination.
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 October 2025 CHES® examination.
The names of the October 2025 scholarship recipients are:
- Channel Ruiz, California State University
- Ameera Stafford, Georgia State University
- Desniege Haywood, Tacoma Community College
Channel Ruiz holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education and a Certificate in Latino Health from California State University, Long Beach. As a first-generation Latina from Southeast Los Angeles, Channel is deeply committed to advancing health equity through culturally tailored chronic disease prevention programs. A Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar, she is currently engaged in research on nutrition and food insecurity, and this summer, she will continue her work at NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Section for Health Equity. Channel aspires to become CHES® certified and pursue a doctorate in public health to lead equitable, community-driven initiatives in underserved communities.
“Being CHES® certified will ensure I uphold the highest standards of competence and credibility in the health education profession,” said Ruiz. “It will also empower me to build trust with communities and implement strategies that create lasting, meaningful change.”
Ameera Stafford is a graduate student at Georgia State University pursuing her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion. She leads campus-wide health campaigns as a Graduate Assistant for Student Health Promotion and previously served as a Peer Health Educator at the University of West Georgia. Her work has focused on topics such as mental health, food insecurity, and sexual wellness, with a strong emphasis on peer-based education and community outreach. Ameera also brings firsthand clinical experience from roles in patient care and access, shaping her holistic approach to health education.
“The CHES® credential will reinforce my commitment to delivering culturally responsive, evidence-based education,” said Stafford. “This scholarship lifts a financial burden and brings me one step closer to achieving my goal of creating lasting change through public health.”
Desniege Haywood is an undergraduate student at Tacoma Community College pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Community Health while maintaining Dean’s List honors. A proud mother and grandmother, Desniege has spent more than a decade at The Tacoma Rescue Mission, advancing from reception to development roles. Her lived experience, combined with certifications in substance use disorder counseling and case management, fuels her dedication to compassion-centered service. Outside of work, she actively volunteers with Search & Rescue and the Humane Society, further grounding her in community engagement and health equity.
“This scholarship represents more than financial assistance—it’s an affirmation of my journey and commitment to serving others,” said Haywood. “Becoming CHES® certified will allow me to deepen my impact and create a healthier future for my community.”
The Helen P. Cleary Scholarship, 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 financial need and a 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 next application period for the Helen P. Scholarship will run from September 22 – 27, 2025, for the April 2026 CHES® examination. For more information about the Helen P. Cleary Scholarship, please visit www.nchec.org/scholarships, or www.sophe.org.
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About SOPHE
The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is a nonprofit association that supports leaders in public health, health education, and promotion to advance healthy and equitable communities across the globe. SOPHE members work in health care settings, communities, organizations, schools, universities, worksites, and in local, state, and federal government agencies. For more information visit www.sophe.org.
About NCHEC
Established in 1988, NCHEC is the only accredited U.S. certifying agency for the health education and promotion industry. NCHEC is a highly recognized and well-respected non-profit credentialing organization administering two professional credentialing programs including the CHES®, designed for entry-level health education specialists, and the MCHES®, targeted to advanced-level practitioners. For more information about NCHEC’s certification programs, visit www.nchec.org.
