We’re proud of the amazing things CEHS alumni are doing. Let us spotlight your latest accomplishment and show what’s possible with a CEHS degree.
Brad Stauffer (EDAD '18) retired from the University of Kansas after four years as director of external affairs in the School of Pharmacy. Following a seven year career in broadcasting, he spent 20 years in K-12 school PR and 13 years in higher education communications and leadership.
Nathaniel Jenkins (NHS '13, '16) leads an NIH and AHA-funded, translational physiology laboratory focused broadly on understanding the social and lifestyle factors that modulate vascular and cardiometabolic health in humans. Over the last 1.5 years, Dr. Jenkins has received several notable national awards and recognitions for his research program in integrative physiology, including the American Physiological Society’s Shih-Chun Wang Young Investigator Award (2024), Environmental and Exercise Physiology Section New Investigator Award (2024), the John F. Perkins Research Career Enhancement Award (2024), and recognition as a Star Reviewer for the American Journal of Physiology: He! art and C irculatory Physiology. In 2025, he was appointed as a standing member of the NIH’s Biobehavioral Mechanisms of Emotion, Stress, and Health (MESH) Study Section.
Kris Jenkins (TLTE '83) has published a book entitled, 'Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.' This book encapsulates 40+ years of teaching and the researched-based manner in which educators can build community with the families of the children they serve. In this book, Kris addresses the ways to engage families before the school year begins, throughout the school year, and after the students leave your tutelage. There is a bonus section dedicated to engagement during the time of the pandemic. Throughout her years of teaching, once applying these techniques, Kris has had 100% attendance at Parent-Teacher Conferences for the past 18 years. Something completely unheard of in today's educational world. Learn more.
Maizie Humm (NHS '20) was recognized by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird at the 2025 State of the City Address for her work on the Lincoln-Lancaster County Heat Response Plan. She currently works as the Climate and Health Resilience Coordinator at the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, focusing on the health impacts of climate change, a first of its kind position in Nebraska.
Kelli Smith (EDAD '05), Assistant Vice President in the Division of Student Affairs at Binghamton University, has been selected for the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service. This is system-wide honor for individuals "recognized for their professional excellence and dedication to their work by the SUNY chancellor and the University’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs." Dr. Smith's portfolio includes three departments focused on community engagement, university-wide career services, and student transition and success. Learn more.
Jennifer Tran (TLTE '15, EDAD '19) was named principal at Pius X High School in Lincoln, Neb. Learn more.
Allie Woolworth (Carlini) (NHS '20) was admitted to the 2025-2026 cohort of the Nebraska Alumni Association Young Alumni Academy.
Laura Goracke (TLTE '07) was awarded the August Golden Apple Award, honoring deserving teachers in the Lincoln, Nebraska area. Learn More.
Sadio Fenner (NHS '22 & '24) won top honors in the PhD student section of the scientific poster presentations at the 2025 International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) annual national conference. He was also awarded both the Pao-Sen Chi Memorial Scholarship Endowment and the Emma and Costa Kittles Scholarship in Health and Human Sciences from Florida State University.
Sheena Helgenberger (EDAD '10) was hired by Omaha Public Schools as a community partnership coordinator.
Carson Haberyan (TLTE '25) was awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship and offered a teaching assistant placement in the Bordeaux region. See More.
Zach Mapes (TLTE '12 & '17) was awarded the Lincoln Education Association's 2025 High School Teacher of the Year.
Erin Wilcox (TLTE '19) received the Exemplary Employee of the Year award in her position as Anatomical Scientist and Assistant Program Director at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine.
Debra Kleve White (TMFD '80) published “The Spirit of Nebraska,” a book documenting the history behind Husker school spirit and game day traditions in 2019. She also is a speaker for the Nebraska Humanities Speakers Bureau. Learn more.
Scott Wilson (TLTE '97) was inducted into Millard South High School Hall of Fame (Class of 1992) in recognition of his teaching career at Omaha Central High School (1997- present).
Thomas Shelly (TLTE '15) received the Academic Advising Award at Oregon State University which recognizes undergraduate academic advising by professional faculty members and acknowledges advising as a profession making a pivotal contribution to the OSU community. He will receive the award at a ceremony in September.