The Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health Awards Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the Difference Makers Awards. These awards recognize the hard work of faculty members, staff members, and community partners.
(From left to Right) Luther Evans, Maji Hailemariam Debena, Rodlescia Sneed, Jennifer Johnson, Nicole Jones, Connie Currier, Bishop Bernadel Jefferson, Kenyetta Dotson, Keosha Corder
Early Career Research Excellence: Maji Hailemariam Debena
Maji Hailemariam Debena receives the Early Career Excellence Award. She is a leading advocate for global mental health, focusing on improving access to care, particularly in African nations and the U.S. With a strong background in health equity, implementation science, and international leadership, Debena has a network of policymakers, academicians, and health professionals across over 10 African countries. Her research, particularly in low-income settings, addresses mental health challenges for women and marginalized populations in Ethiopia and other countries. She has contributed to over 40 peer-reviewed publications and led initiatives such as Ethiopia's first national mental health hotline. Debena is also developing behavioral health interventions for individuals with serious mental illness and perinatal women with experience of intimate partner violence, making a significant impact on mental health policy and services worldwide.
Research Excellence: Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer Johnson receives the Research Excellence Award. Johnson is the founding faculty member of the MSU Division of Public Health, the first C. S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health, and was appointed as the inaugural Chair of MSU's Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health in April 2024. A world-renowned leader in maternal health equity research, Johnson conducts groundbreaking community-partnered and policy-relevant research, including implementation and effectiveness trials of mental health interventions for vulnerable populations, including individuals with legal system involvement. As evidence of her sustained scholarly output and impact, Johnson has 122 peer-reviewed publications, and her work has been cited over 7,000 times. Johnson has been the Principal Investigator of 18 NIH-funded studies (over $72 million in total costs), including two ongoing large center grants and four ongoing R01s. She has been a co-investigator on another 18. She was recently recognized as the highest NIH-funded researcher in any department at MSU and, most impressively, in any obstetrics department across the country. Johnson is an eminent scientist, a mentor to many inside and outside of our department, an advocate, and a leader. Johnson's genuine passion for her work is an inspiration to her colleagues.
Junior Faculty Teacher-Scholar: Rodlescia Sneed
Rodlescia Sneed receives the Junior Teacher-Scholar Award. She exemplifies the perfect balance of scholarship and teaching, consistently earning high praise for the courses she leads. She skillfully integrates her community-engaged research into her teaching, providing Master of Public Health (MPH) students with real-world examples that illustrate how course concepts directly relate to her impactful work in public health. Students appreciate the opportunity to explore communities they care deeply about in her Community Engagement course, which is a valuable foundation for future careers in public health. Sneed is deeply invested in her students' success, offering guidance not only during their coursework but long after classes have ended. Her commitment to fostering career development and mentoring is evident, with many students seeking her out for further advice on community-focused careers. As a researcher, Sneed's focus on advancing health equity, particularly in relation to incarceration and long-term care for older adults, is a testament to her dedication to addressing critical issues in public health. In addition to her academic and research accomplishments, Sneed has shown exceptional leadership as co-chair of the Workforce Development Committee since 2021, where she has helped provide professional development to over 800 individuals across Michigan. Her ability to facilitate connections and collaborations among professionals, organizations, and communities has made her an invaluable resource.
Excellence in Teaching Award: Connie Currier
Constance Currier receives the Excellence in Teaching Award. She has been a part of the Master of Public Health program since its inception in 2008. She is known for her thoughtful course design and diverse assessment methods and has consistently earned high praise from students. She has developed at least ten different courses, all while mentoring students and guiding them through practical experiences. Her leadership was instrumental in the program's accreditation process. Further, she has developed a Public Health in Ghana service-learning project that allows students to engage in international community-based research with a focus on social justice. Currier's work has received the African Studies Champion Recognition and the MSU Award for Outstanding Service to Study Abroad. Her dedication to academic excellence and public health education has significantly elevated our MPH program.
Community-Engaged Scholarship Award: Nicole Jones
Nicole Jones receives the Community-Engaged Scholarship Award. She has been part of the Flint Registry since 2016. In partnership with the community, the Flint Registry has touched thousands of lives in the Flint community with over 21,000 enrollees and 34,000 referrals to services. Community engagement is at the center of the work. In addition to including two community organizations in the leadership structure, the project has joined with four advisory boards, funded five partner outreach organizations, and incorporated feedback from over 1,000 individuals or organizations as part of the design and implementation. She further worked with community partners to publish the impact, successes, and challenges of the community engagement approach.
Distinguished Academic Staff Award: Kenyetta Dotson
Kenyetta Dotson receives the Distinguished Academic Staff Award. Dotson has applied her extensive experience as a community advocate to foster strong community-academic partnerships, mainly through her role as Director of Community Based Implementation and Engagement for the MSU-Hurley Pediatric Public Health Initiative (PPHI). Over her six years with MSU, she has been instrumental in developing innovative outreach strategies, engaging hard-to-reach populations, and ensuring that Flint residents' voices are central in program design. Kenyetta played a key role in the Flint Registry, engaging thousands impacted by the Flint water crisis and connecting them to essential services. She also leads important groups like the PPHI Parent Partners and the Flint Youth Justice League and works with parents to help launch the Rx Kids program, which has distributed millions of dollars to Flint families. In addition to her leadership in creating impactful programs, Dotson has shared her work at conferences and in peer-reviewed publications, further amplifying the impact of her community-centered approach.
Exceptional Staff Award: Keosha Corder
Keosha Corder receives the Exceptional Staff Award. Since joining MSU in 2017, she has demonstrated outstanding dedication to serving students, staff, faculty, and the broader community, consistently exceeding expectations in every role. As a key staff member in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, she has supported both research and education while contributing to the department's growth. She is particularly praised for her outreach efforts, especially in engaging with the Flint community and building trust through events. In addition to her administrative work, she has gone above and beyond by planning and hosting events such as the MPH graduation brunch and meet-and-greets across Michigan and chairing important committees like the Student Support and Training Scholarship. She excels as a recruiter by focusing on building meaningful relationships with potential students and ensuring that every interaction is positive and inclusive. Her adaptability, proactive support, and leadership qualities have earned her the respect of colleagues and enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of the College's mission.
Individual Community Public Health Champion Award: Bishop Bernadel Jefferson
Bishop Bernadel Jefferson receives the Community Public Health Champion award. She is committed and dedicated to improving the health outcomes of Flint children, families, and the Flint community. She has invested over four decades, giving her life to the work of community outreach, engagement, and advocacy. She was elected to serve as the first community member on the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health Executive Committee and leads the Flint Women's Study. Through her hard work, skills, and relentless persistence in the quest for liberty, justice, and freedom for all, Bishop Jefferson has helped hundreds of men, women, and children discover the path to a better, healthier, and happier way of life, while positively impacting the societal structure in which we live.
Public Health Champion Agency Award: Community-Based Organization Partners
Community Based Organization Partners (CBOP) receives the agency public health champion. CBOP was organized so that community organizations could consult each other, strategize, and band together to have a voice in Flint-area civil rights and public health issues. Their mission is to build the capacity of community-based organizations while establishing the community as a recognized and respected institution through collaborative partnerships. They run the community ethics board. They are active in APHA leadership and worked together to get Flint community member Ella Greene-Moton elected as the first community member President of the American Public Health Association. They were a primary partner in creating the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Division of Public Health (now the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health) and recruiting many faculty to Flint, especially early on. They continue to be dedicated supporters of the department's work and the needs of the Flint community. Luther and Marjorie Evans accepted the award on behalf of CBOP.
A special thanks to the awards committee for their service and dedication to promoting the efforts of our team members. The work is critical to amplifying their accomplishments to a broader audience.
January 16, 2025
