Leadership Corner
Board of Commissioners Chair Report Kathy Jinkins, BSN, M.Ed, MCHES®
I am delighted to be serving as Chair of the Board of Commissioners for 2026. As your elected at-large Board Member, I find this volunteer service both professionally and personally meaningful. It is important to me to lend my time and talents to promote the health education profession. As a health education specialist, I have seen many ways to demonstrate the value of our credentials. The Areas of Responsibility provide a strong foundation for practice across diverse settings and help define the knowledge and skills that CHES® and MCHES® profess- ionals bring to their work. One of the most meaningful ways we elevate the CHES® and MCHES® credentials is by parti- cipating in the work that supports them. Volunteer leadership is essential to NCHEC’s mission
Kathy Janes Jinkins 2024 NCHEC BOC Chair
and to the continued growth of the profession. By serving on a Division Board or committee, credential holders help shape the programs, policies, and standards that strengthen certification and the field. NCHEC is currently seeking CHES® and MCHES® in good standing to apply for open volunteer board positions. Nominations are due June 1, 2026, with elections in August 2026 for terms beginning in 2027. This year, NCHEC’s initiatives have offered many reminders that the value of certification is not abstract. It is reflected in the stories, workplaces, classrooms, communities, and professional networks where certified health education specialists make an impact every day. Campaigns such as “Wear Your Health Ed Heart on Your Sleeve” bring that impact forward by giving CHES® and MCHES® professionals space to share why this work matters to them and to the people they serve. NCHEC’s recognition programs help elevate the CHES® and MCHES® credentials by highlighting both the organizations that value certification and the professionals who demonstrate its impact. Through the Employer Recognition Program and the Outstanding Service and Leadership Awards, NCHEC strengthens the connection between certification, workforce quality, leadership, service, and community impact. The release of the Competency-Based Framework for Health Education Specialists – 2025 is another important milestone for the profession. This framework reflects the contemporary practice of health education and provides a shared foundation for practitioners, administrators, employers, educators, and students. It strengthens the credibility of the credential by clearly defining the knowledge and skills health education specialists bring to their work. As the field evolves, this framework helps ensure that certification remains relevant, rigorous, and aligned with the needs of communities. The Board of Commissioners is also continuing to advance the goals and objectives of the NCHEC Strategic Plan for 2025– 2029. At the recent annual in-person board meeting, Commissioners reviewed the plan and recommitted to its alignment with NCHEC’s mission and vision. This strategic work is essential because it keeps the organization focused on the future: supporting credential holders, strengthening partnerships, increasing recognition of the credential, and ensuring that NCHEC continues to meet the needs of the profession. As you read about NCHEC’s recent initiatives in this issue, I encourage you to think beyond each individual event or announcement. Together, these efforts represent a larger movement to elevate the CHES® and MCHES® credentials, strengthen professional identity, and ensure that the work of health education specialists is seen, valued, and understood. Whether you serve on a volunteer board, encourage your employer to seek recognition, participate in NCHEC Online, share your professional story, or mentor someone entering the field, you are helping advance the profession. Above all, take pride in your achievement as a CHES® or MCHES® credential holder. Your work matters, and your credential helps demonstrate the preparation, commitment, and professional standards that make health education essential to healthier communities.
NCHEC NEWS
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