School of Public Health’s Megan Williams named SOPHE 2026 M. Elaine Auld Horizon Award recipient

Megan Williams, PhD, CHES, assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health, has been named the 2026 M. Elaine Auld Horizon Award recipient by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE). The award recognizes early career health educators who have distinguished themselves as promising professionals through leadership, creativity and involvement in the profession. Williams will receive the award at SOPHE’s 2026 Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon, April 22-24.

Williams advances health education through innovative, student‑centered teaching, experiential learning and evidence‑based instructional design. She co‑created a graduate advocacy course funded twice by a $10,000 Teaching Excellence Grant and is developing an undergraduate advocacy course to launch in 2026. Her creative approaches—including gamified human sexuality lessons, the “Bring Your Friend to Class Day” initiative, and strategic use of educational technology—enhance student engagement across diverse public health courses.

Williams has secured over $10,000 to support student conference participation, co‑developed the Conferencing 101 workshop, mentored student research presentations, and led global health programs in Australia, Greece and upcoming 2026 experiences. She also contributes to large‑scale public health initiatives through her role on the $24.9 million Texas Opioid Prevention for Students (TOPS) grant, providing curriculum expertise and statewide educator training.

Williams earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public health from East Carolina University and her doctorate in health education and promotion from the University of Alabama.