06/08/2026
MTSU is proud to share news that Middle Tennessee State University Public Health Program doctoral student Vinny Black earned a trio of honors for academic excellence and leadership this year.
Black most recently was presented the 2026 Health Educator of the Year Award during a ceremony at the 2026 Health Promotion Conference for the Tennessee Department of Health, or TDH, that celebrated leaders from regions across the state.
Black, a former health educator for MTSU, was nominated by his regional office for his “exceptional leadership, creativity, and unwavering commitment to improving the health, safety, and well-being of communities.”
In addition to Health Educator of the Year, he received Volunteer of the Year Award from the Tennessee Environmental Council for the nonprofit’s tree planting program. Black also received the Public Health Ph.D. Student of the Year at MTSU.
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