Oakland University Provost Amy Thompson honored as SOPHE 2026 Distinguished Fellow

Amy Thompson, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at Oakland University, was honored as a 2026 Distinguished Fellow by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), the organization's highest honor.

Thompson received the recognition during the SOPHE 2026 Annual Conference, themed "Local Roots, Global Impact: Transforming Health through Education," held April 22-24, 2026, in Portland, Ore.

"I am deeply humbled and honored to receive the SOPHE Distinguished Fellow Award," Thompson said. "I was very surprised and it means so much that my colleagues would take the time to nominate me."

The Distinguished Fellow Award recognizes a national SOPHE member who has made significant and lasting contributions to the organization and the profession of health education or public health through exemplary scholarship and community service.

"I am sure there were many qualified and deserving candidates who were nominated," Thompson said. "What I can say is that SOPHE is my professional home and has provided so much for me in my development. I have served as the national president and in other key areas. I have tried hard to provide leadership, be a good colleague and be an active scholar. I am very grateful for this prestigious award."

In her role at Oakland University, Thompson oversees initiatives and programs related to student success, community engagement, accreditation and research. A nationally recognized leader in public health and higher education, she brings more than 20 years of academic experience and a decade of senior administrative leadership to her work. Thompson has published more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, secured more than $1.7 million in grant funding, and presented her scholarship nationally and internationally.

She earned a bachelor's degree in public health from Central Michigan University and a master's degree in public health and doctorate in health education from University of Toledo.

"I am so grateful to have so many wonderful mentors and colleagues," Thompson said. "I am glad that I am a public health educator and part of the SOPHE community. I hope I can help the next generation of professionals and help them find passion and purpose in our evolving field. Public health needs us."

Founded to support leaders in public health, health education and promotion, the Society for Public Health Education is a nonprofit association whose members work in health care settings, communities, schools, universities, workplaces, and local, state and federal agencies to advance healthy and equitable communities worldwide.