Maryanne Campbell, assistant director of the New Jersey Safe Schools Program at the Rutgers School of Public Health, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Robert Synovitz Emerging Professional Award by the American School Health Association.
This national honor recognizes early-career professionals who demonstrate exceptional promise as future leaders in the field of school health.
At Rutgers, Campbell helps lead the New Jersey Safe Schools Program, a statewide initiative that provides training, technical assistance, and resources to promote health, safety and injury prevention in secondary school settings. Her work supports educators, administrators, and students in fostering safe and supportive learning and working environments across New Jersey.
“Maryanne’s commitment, creativity and management of training processes have strengthened our program’s statewide impact,” said Derek Shendell, professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and director of the New Jersey Safe Schools Program.
Campbell’s work has played a crucial role in expanding the reach of the New Jersey Safe School Program, including strengthening collaborations and driving program and applied research innovation.
During the 2020–2023 school years, she helped transition numerous required trainings – developed through a long-standing alliance of state and federal agencies – into online synchronous and asynchronous formats, significantly expanding access for school personnel.
Shendell, who nominated Campbell for the award, added: “Her work has broadened how we think about school health, expanding our focus beyond physical safety and typical biological, chemical and ergonomic exposures (risks) to include the overall wellness, including mental health, of teachers, educational support professionals and students.”
I’m grateful for this recognition and inspired to continue making a positive impact in the field of school health.
Maryanne Campbell
Assistant Director, New Jersey Safe Schools Program
Campbell’s strategic development in this area is highlighted through the New Jersey Safe School Program’s collaboration with Margaret “Peggy” Swarbrick, associate director of the Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, research professor in the Applied Psychology Department of GSAPP and inaugural director of Rutgers–New Brunswick’s ScarletWell initiative.
Utilizing Swarbrick’s nationally recognized Eight Dimensions of Wellness model, Campbell led the development and implementation of an activity for high school teachers during the 2023-2025 school years. Designed to support healthier school and work environments, the goal of this approach was to enhance campus climate, improve personal well-being and strengthen experiences in classrooms, laboratories and shops for both teachers and students in secondary schools.
This work has led to multiple national conference presentations and peer-reviewed manuscripts, reflecting the New Jersey Safe School Program’s growing emphasis on both physical and mental wellness as essential components of school safety and health.
“I am honored to receive the 2025 Dr. Robert Synovitz Emerging Professional Award from the American School Health Association,” Campbell said.
“My sincere thanks to Dr. Derek Shendell for the nomination and for supporting me in my work. I’m grateful for this recognition and inspired to continue making a positive impact in the field of school health.”
Founded in 1927, the American School Health Association unites educators, health practitioners, researchers and advocates committed to improving the well-being of children and adolescents through coordinated school health programs and policies.
Campbell has been a member of the organization since 2019 and was presented with the award during their 2025 Annual Conference, held in October in Denver, Colorado.
