Jenna Wintemberg awarded 2026 Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence

March 17, 2026
Contact: Eric Stann, [email protected]

University of Missouri President Mun Choi; Matthew Martens, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs; Steve Sowers, chief executive officer of Commerce Bank's Missouri community markets; and Sarah Dubbert, president of the Columbia market for Commerce Bank, awarded a 2026 William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence to Jenna Wintemberg today.

Wintemberg is an associate teaching professor in Mizzou's College of Health Sciences.

Kristofer Hagglund, dean of the College of Health Sciences, joined other leaders in surprising Wintemberg by honoring her with the fellowship, which includes a $15,000 stipend. Kemper Fellowships are awarded to five outstanding teachers at the University of Missouri each year.

The William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence were established in 1991 with a $500,000 gift. Kemper, a 1926 Mizzou graduate, was a well-known civic leader in Kansas City until his death in 1989. His 52-year career in banking included top positions at banks in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. Commerce Bank manages the trust fund.

Jenna Wintemberg biography

Jenna Wintemberg has a remarkable gift for inspiring her students, motivating them to unlock their full potential and thrive in every aspect of their professional lives.

"Dr. Wintemberg is the rare educator who makes students feel both inspired and supported from the moment they walk into her classroom," Ethan Greenblatt, one of her former students, wrote in his letter supporting the nomination. "Her authenticity, dedication and commitment to

equity make her the kind of educator who not only teaches but truly changes students' lives."

Wintemberg's teaching philosophy encourages students to think critically about the social determinants of health, Hagglund wrote in her nomination. To do this, she uses research-informed teaching methods that emphasize active learning and real-world application.

"As an instructor of health science and public health students, I believe the first critical

step in academic preparation is shifting from an individual- or patient-level lens to a socioecological framework," Wintemberg wrote in a statement describing her teaching philosophy. "This wider perspective allows us to identify and address social determinants of health that ultimately drive outcomes."

Wintemberg also strongly values mentoring, as demonstrated by the more than 300 letters of recommendation she has written supporting students pursuing graduate study, professional certifications and career opportunities.

"Her mentorship is characterized by a personalized approach, reflecting her belief that every student has unique strengths and potential to succeed," Kristofer Hagglund, dean of the College of Health Sciences, wrote.

Wintemberg's students clearly recognize this commitment, Department of Health Sciences Chair Botswana Blackburn wrote in her letter supporting the nomination.

"She's not only a gifted educator but also a trusted mentor, a collaborative leader and a tireless advocate for academic innovation and student success," Blackburn wrote. "Her influence extends far beyond the classroom, shaping programs, guiding faculty and inspiring students to reach their full potential."

Wintemberg also created the Seminar in Health Education course to help prepare students to take the Certified Health Education Specialist exam, a national certification test for people who want to work in health education and health promotion.

"So far, 75 students have passed this rigorous national certification, a concrete and lasting measure of her teaching impact," Julie Kapp, chair of the college's Department of Public Health, wrote in a letter supporting the nomination. "She is a dynamic educational innovator, a tireless contributor and a student role model across multiple levels of public health education."

Wintemberg is widely recognized by her colleagues for her contributions to the college's teaching mission, Senior Associate Dean Stephanie Reid-Arndt wrote in a letter of support for the nomination. This includes leading curriculum development for numerous in-person and online courses in the college and serving as the inaugural director of undergraduate studies for the Department of Health Sciences. Today, Wintemberg also serves as the director of graduate and undergraduate studies in the college's Department of Public Health.

"Dr. Wintemberg is one of the most highly regarded teaching faculty in the College of Health Sciences," Reid-Arndt wrote. "She has been a leader in curriculum planning and development in both her academic departments. Moreover, with her knowledge and approachability, she is widely viewed as a valued resource for faculty colleagues and staff across the college."

Wintemberg's teaching contributions have been recognized with the College of Health Sciences Excellence in Education - Early Career Award and the University of Missouri's Provost Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award. And her educational influence reaches beyond the campus community.

Wintemberg leads the State of Missouri's Vaping, Tobacco, and Nicotine Treatment Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) program, delivering more than 2,000 hours of professional education to providers since 2023. In recognition of this work, she received the Missouri Telehealth Network ECHO Champion Award in 2024.

Wintemberg received a bachelor of arts in psychology, a master of public health and a doctorate in health education and promotion, all from Mizzou.

MU College of Health Sciences