Ursula Spence Named to Kennesaw’s 40 Under 40
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Public Health Advocate and Community Leader Ursula Spence recently received her second “40 Under 40” Award, as Kennesaw State University added Spence to the award’s inaugural Class of 2025.
Spence received her first “40 Under 40” award in 2020, when she was recognized by Georgia Southern University for her years of dedication to advancing public health within several communities. She has worked tirelessly to improve the health and access to care for people in rural communities throughout the region. Throughout her academic and professional life, Spence has explored unique issues that may affect rural communities, such as the economic burden of Alzheimer’s disease, which Spence wrote a dissertation on; that dissertation was later published in the Journal of Public Health. Spence was even featured on the NBC Nightly News in the past to share the impact of the Affordable Care Act in rural Georgia. She worked as a volunteer editor for the Georgia Public Health Association’s journals and even served as a facilita-
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tor for the American Public Health Association’s annual meetings. Spence is a board member on the Georgia Rural Health Association, where she champions initiatives that address healthcare challenges in underserved areas. Spence has also created numerous programs for rural health initiative, and is an avid supporter of the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties; Toombs County Family Connection, and Greater Vidalia Chamber. She also is a former member of the Vidalia Kiwanis Club and has served at the Refuge Domestic Violence Shelter and Sexual Assault Center and Sweet Onion Animal Protection Society (SOAPS).
She completed her undergraduate studies at Kennesaw State University and her graduate degrees at Georgia Southern University, and is currently finalizing her dissertation to receive her doctorate in Public Health Policy and Leadership.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by both Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State University for my contributions to public health,” said Spence. “These awards are a testament to the power of communitydriven solutions and the importance of working together to improve health outcomes for all.”
Spence said that she was first notified that she had been nominated for the award at the beginning of the year. “I had colleagues that saw the opportunity come up and they submitted a little blurb about me, which was very kind of them to do,” she explained. “I think it was January 31 that I found out that I had been selected for the Owls 40 Under 40.”
Her friends shared their nominations with Spence. Many shared compliments of Spence’s dedication to serving others and passion for public health and her community.
“Her academic prowess is evident in her rigorous coursework and research, but it is her passion for public health that truly sets her apart. As a doctoral candidate, she continues to advance her knowledge and skills, demonstrating an impressive blend of theoretical understanding and practical application,” One nomination read. “In her role as a community member in Vidalia, Ursula actively engages with various organizations, contributing her expertise and leadership to enhance public health outcomes. She volunteers extensively through the local United Way, where she has championed initiatives aimed at improving the lives of residents in need. Her involvement on several committees for the local chamber of commerce and technical college showcases her commitment to fostering collaboration and development within the community.”
Another nomination said, “Ursula moved to Vidalia with a vision to create a positive impact, and she has certainly delivered. As a leader at a nonprofit organization focused on helping vulnerable populations, Ursula has tirelessly advocated for those in need, ensuring access to essential services and resources. Her work has not only transformed individual lives but has also strengthened the fabric of our community… Ursula’s kindness, thoughtfulness, and reliability make her a cornerstone of our community. She is a trusted resource for our school systems, local hospitals, and various community organizations. Whether it’s providing guidance on public health initiatives or volunteering her time for community events, Ursula consistently goes above and beyond to support those around her.”
Spence further commented on this work, as she explained that her employer, Community Health Works, had allowed her to focus on needed public health programs as necessary. “I’d love to thank my place of employment. They have supported me throughout graduate school and have cheered me on while doing my public health stuff. We do so many different things – it’s not just one focus. We focus on several different entities, whether its helping people find a doctor, helping people enroll in health insurance, doing a childhood obesity focus for our area, etc. My employers are so willing – they are like, ‘What do you want to focus on?’ and of course, I look at our community and ask, ‘What do we need?’ she explained.
Spence said that she and the organization did a lot of data mining on what was most needed in the area, and even often spoke to school and hospital professionals to learn what each community is struggling most with. Once that need is discovered, Spence works to get the program funded through a grant and then present it to the community in hopes of helping to continue to improve each community’s wellbeing. It is this work, among many others, which earned her the honor of being in the 40 Under 40 Owls Class of 2025.
