Staff photo / Greg Macafee Dr. Nicolette Powe was named the recipient of the 31st annual ATHENA award Thursday night at Waypoint 4180 in Boardman. Powe is an associate professor of Public Health /Public Health Scientist, Dept. of Graduate Studies in Health & Rehabilitation Sciences at Youngstown State University.

CANFIELD — Before uttering a word to express her feelings regarding winning a highly prestigious award, Dr. Nicolette W. Powe found herself dabbing at her eyes.

“I’m at a loss for words, and if you know me, I’m never at a loss for words,” an emotional Powe said after learning she was this year’s winner of the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber’s 2024 ATHENA Award.

For her work as an educator and mentor in impacting Mahoning Valley residents’ health and well-being, implementing a program to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities, mentoring young women in higher education for their mental and physical well-being and more, Powe took home the honor after the 31st annual ATHENA Awards dinner and program Thursday evening at Waypoint 4180, 4180 Westford Place.

Sponsoring the award were the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber and The Vindicator.

Powe was among the 23 women nominated for the honor and in the program that recognizes professional women in the region for their outstanding accomplishments, leadership skills and being community role models.

Powe, a public health scientist and associate professor in Youngstown State University’s Department of Graduate Studies in Health and Rehabilitation Services, listed behavioral risk factors for chronic disease prevention as a primary interest.

She also has received millions of dollars in grants, including more than $3.5 million last year from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement a five-year Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program.

“Dr. Powe has impacted our community in such tremendous ways,” Kim Calvert, the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber’s senior vice president of marketing and member services, said. “From the millions of dollars she has secured to further her significant work in our community and at the university, to her commitment to fostering children, she is a true embodiment of all that the ATHENA Award symbolizes and represents.”

Since she began her career at YSU in 2017 as an assistant professor, Powe has secured a number of other grants aimed at improving area residents’ and YSU students’ physical and mental well-being.

In 2021, she received more than $43,000 from the YSU Higher Education Emergency Relief fund to implement a peer-to-peer health education program to support students’ social and personal awareness. She also was awarded funding to explore the effects wearable fitness trackers have on better physical activity, decreased social isolation and effectiveness on improving sleep.

More recently, the National Institute of Justice awarded Powe and the university nearly $450,000 toward YSU’s “Research and Evaluation on Domestic Radicalization and Violent Extremism” proposal.

In addition, Powe’s professorship has entailed mentoring students and other young women in conducting research, publishing articles and earning their degrees.

“As a faculty member and active member, I play a vital role in young women’s education journey and professional development. … Advocating for their physical and mental well-being demonstrates my holistic approach to their growth,” Powe said, adding, “Creating a safe space for young women to receive mentorship and hands-on experience is crucial for their development and empowerment.”

For the last nine years, she also has been a licensed foster parent.

In 1999, Powe earned a bachelor’s degree in community health education and health ethics from Kent State University before earning a master’s degree in 2003 in health promotion and human sciences from North Carolina Central University in Durham. In 2016, Powe earned a doctorate in health education and global health from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California.

In 2020, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities named Powe a Health Disparities Research Institute scholar.

Also, Powe is part of numerous community and professional boards such as the American Heart Association’s Youngstown chapter’s advocacy committee and Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio. In addition, she is part of the Mahoning Anti-Racism Justice and Inclusion Coalition.

In her speech at Thursday’s award ceremony, Powe thanked numerous family members, YSU colleagues and others for the honor and their support. She also urged attendees to take care of one another and the planet, assume control of their destinies, find their passions and connect them with a greater purpose.

“Today, I stand here before you because I believe in the good of people,” Powe said.

Making additional remarks were Dr. Virginia “Dee” Banks, the 2023 ATHENA Award recipient, and Sue Shafer, The Vindicator and The Tribune Chronicle’s community events coordinator.

2024 ATHENA

Award nominees

Lynne Azar, guardianship manager, Jewish Family and Community Services

Sherri Bercheni, vice president, remote delivery experience, 717 Credit Union

Sarah Brown-Clark, retired Youngstown municipal clerk of courts

Jenna Byler, communications director, Millwood Inc.

Melissa Capple, chief operating officer, United Network Alliance

Michelle Crawford, chief financial officer, Mercy Health-Youngstown

Gina DeGenova, Mahoning County prosecutor

Stacia Erdos, regional development executive, Trumbull, Mahoning and Jefferson counties, Coleman Health Services

Jennifer Frank, professor of criminal justice consumer services, Youngstown State University

Shari Harrell, retired president, Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley

Megan Hughes, operations director, Discover Global / Dura Terrain

Tiffany Hurlbut, chief executive officer, Aaris Therapy Group

Dr. Kassandra Kornbau, medical director, Natura Behavioral Health

Traci Manning, education curator, Mahoning Valley Historical Society

Lois Martin-Uscianowski, founder and director, Southside Community Garden

Ashley Morrow, human resources, payroll, grants and safety, Livi Steel Inc.

Ky Pegues, vice president, community development officer, Premier Bank

Gina Peplow, employer and community-engagement professional, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates

Dr. Nicolette Powe, associate professor of public health and a public health scientist, YSU Department of Graduate Studies in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Rachael Rankin, head principal, Newton Falls Junior High / High School

Marisa Sergi, CEO, L’uva Bella Winery

Patricia Summers, founder, president and CEO, Youngstown Blue Coats

Abbie Twyford Wilson, director of student activities, Eastern Gateway Community College