ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is proud to announce that Megan Williams will be awarded the M. Elaine Auld Horizon Award during the 2026 Annual Conference in Portland, OR, April 22-24.  

“I feel deeply honored that colleagues in my profession view my contributions to the field as deserving of this award,” said Williams,” an Instructional Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University. “Elaine dedicated years of her career to SOPHE and was widely recognized as a visionary, compassionate, and steadfast leader in health education, and public health advocacy. Her impact on our field is immense, and to be acknowledged in a way that even loosely aligns me with her legacy is incredibly meaningful. I hope to carry forward her spirit of leadership and make an impact that begins to mirror the one she had on the field of health education.”

This award recognizes early-career health educators who have distinguished themselves through leadership, creativity, involvement in the profession, and health education practice.  

“I encourage all health educators and public health practitioners to get involved and stay connected with SOPHE,” said Williams, who brings a dynamic and innovative approach to public health, advocacy, sexuality, and substance use education. “You never know how one experience, one mentor, or one opportunity might shape your career. I’m grateful for the foundation this community has given me, and I’m excited to continue giving back.”

In her seven years teaching at the college level, Williams prioritizes experiential learning, incorporating global and domestic educational opportunities to enrich student engagement. Beyond the college classroom, she has experience managing and implementing opioid, mental and sexual health curricula in K-12 schools. Professionally, she is dedicated to advancing sexual health outcomes among young adults by increasing access to sexual health care and promoting comprehensive sexuality education. Currently, she serves as a Board Member for Every Body Texas. Previously, she earned her B.S. in Public Health and MPH in Health Behavior from East Carolina University and her Ph.D. in Health Education and Promotion from The University of Alabama.   

“I encourage all health educators and public health practitioners to get involved and stay connected with SOPHE,” she said. “You never know how one experience, one mentor, or one opportunity might shape your career. I’m grateful for the foundation this community has given me, and I’m excited to continue giving back.”

SOPHE will present all awards and scholarships to public health professionals, health education researchers, faculty, programs, practitioners at the annual conference. These awards and scholarships recognize significant advancements in the profession of health education and health promotion and outstanding contributions of veterans and rising stars to improving the public’s health. 

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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.