Megan S. Kelley

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Megan S. Kelley

Assistant Professor

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Contact

Address
LEV 119B
Lincoln NE 68583-0806
Phone
402-472-3716 On-campus 2-3716
Email
megan.kelley@unl.edu

CV: Download

Educating people about health and wellness is a rewarding and fulfilling job, and in health education, communication is everything!  My goal is to prepare students to be superb health educators by equipping them with the tools to provide evidence-based, health literate, and meaningful health communication.  I strive to provide courses that are research-based and practical, drawing from my experience in both academia and public health:

  • As a graduate research assistant at two universities, I have developed and delivered guest lectures for undergraduate and graduate classes; provided education to academic, professional, community, and extension audiences; developed presentations for local and national conferences; and researched public health issues at national, regional, and local levels.
  • I have recently been involved in the development and implementation of the University of Nebraska’s first massive open online course, Health Literacy and Communication for Health Professionals.
  • Some of my recent research is in press for publication in the journal Health Communication. 
  • In the three positions I have held at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, I managed and evaluated a statewide health program and communication campaign; contributed to the development of a curriculum on cultural competency in public health; and developed collaborative relationships with local, state and national public health organizations. 

Areas of Expertise

  • Health Communication and Health Literacy
  • Health Education
  • Health Disparities
  • Public Health

Education

Ph.D., Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2015
M.S., Health Promotion, Mississippi State University, 2009
B.A., Psychology, Eastern University, 2007

Honors and Recognition

  • 2012: Award for Excellence in Public Health Communication, National Public Health Information Coalition

Experience

  • Present: Assistant Professor of Practice in Health Communication and Messaging, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • 2013-2015: Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center
  • 2011-2013: Dental Health Program Manager, Office of Oral Health and Dentistry, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
  • 2011: DHHS Program Specialist, State Unit on Aging, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
  • 2010-2011: Community Health Educator, Office of Health Disparities and Health Equity, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
  • 2007-2008: Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Mississippi State University

Memberships

  • American Public Health Association
  • American Association of University Women
  • Public Health Association of Nebraska