Prairie View A&M University proudly participated in the 2025 National Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) Case Study Competition, which provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world public health challenges in a competitive academic setting. This competition has been going on for several years; however, in 2024, Prairie View A&M University sent its first group of students to the competition. Mackenzee Deere, Amarys Diamond-Danae Royal, and the group were placed second in the overall competition.
This year, four groups of students from the School of Public and Allied Health represented the University after a rigorous two-week training process. The group consists of undergraduate students Shearyl Smith, Mackynzee Jolene Deere, Myles Lathan Edwards, Tylyn Mashara Holliness, Trenton Lee Castillo, Cydni Marica-Mattie Miller, Stacy Atwemaa Owusu, Kourtney C Mayes, Amarys Diamond-Danae Royal, and graduate students Asia Walker and Mikayla Rose Jones. The public health students were engaged in extensive case analysis, literature review, stakeholder analysis, and solution-based planning. The students were mentored and trained by Dr. Andrea McDonald and Ms. Shakirat Adetomiwa. During the mock presentation sessions, Dr. Kentya Ford and Catherine Kisavi-Atatah were present and provided support.
The 2025 SOPHE Case Study Competition took place between April 14 and 18, 2025, in Long Beach, California, and on the Zoom virtual platform, where teams from across the nation presented their findings and proposed solutions to a panel of public health experts and practitioners. A total of 14 universities and 22 groups across the nation entered the competition. The case study focused on the growing chlamydia cases in Long Beach, requiring multi-level intervention strategies to reduce the prevalence.
We are proud to announce that both student groups (graduate and undergraduate) from Prairie View A&M University placed first in the competition based on their categories. Not only did the students place first, but the graduate student also received the program design award overall. Here are the details:
Graduate Students winners (Gold) – Best program design overall
Mikayla Rose Jones
Asia Walker
Undergraduate Student winners (Gold)
Shearyl Smith
Kourtney C. Mayes
Stacy Atwemaa Owusu
Undergraduate Student winners (Silver)
Cydni Marica-Mattie Miller
Myles Lathan Edwards
Tylyn Mashara Holliness
Undergraduate Student winners (Bronze)
Mackynzee Jolene Deere
Trenton Lee Castillo
Amarys Diamond-Danae Royal
Dr. McDonald and Ms. Adetomiwa expressed that this is an exceptional achievement that reflects the students’ academic excellence, professionalism, and commitment to public health. This historic outcome not only underscores the quality of public health education at Prairie View A&M University but also positions our students as emerging leaders in the field.
Special thanks to the SOPHE organizing committee for providing this enriching opportunity to our students, to the Executive Director and the School of Public and Allied Health for their ongoing support and encouragement, and to all the students who participated and contributed to this outstanding success. The dual first-place victory at the SOPHE Case Study Competition affirms the excellence of our public health program and reinforces our commitment to preparing students to solve the complex health challenges of today and tomorrow. We look forward to continued participation in future SOPHE events and fostering future leaders in public health.