Central faculty excel with awards, national recognition at NAHPL Summit

From keynote presentations to major honors, Central Connecticut State University faculty made a great impression at the National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy (NAHPL) Summit, held March 2 to 4.

Dr. Jayanthi Kandiah, dean of the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, delivered a keynote address titled “Lab to Life: Strategies for Healthy Living,” focusing on metabolic health and practical approaches to improving everyday wellness. During the summit, she was also recognized with the 2026 Eastern Seaboard Region Health Literacy Champion Award, an honor that highlights excellence in accessing, understanding, and applying health information to support informed decisions and positive health outcomes.

In addition to her keynote, Kandiah was featured on the NAHPL-sponsored podcast “Scaling the Summit,” where she discussed her expertise and background in healthcare.

Dr. Carol Ciotto, the Eastern Seaboard Regional Executive Director for NAHPL, was named an Inaugural Fellow and received a Presidential Citation for the Eastern Seaboard Region in recognition of her leadership and service. Ciotto was one of the founders of NAHPL who helped launch the organization in 2020. She currently serves as NAHPL President-Elect. 

Dr. Ellen Benham, a member of the Physical Education and Human Performance faculty, was named president-elect of the Eastern Seaboard Region leadership team, further strengthening Central’s presence in regional leadership.

Additional faculty members in attendance included Dr. Ellen Benham, Dr. Tan Leng Goh, and Dr. Chee-Hoi Leong, members of the Physical Education and Human Performance Department. Benham was named president-elect of the Eastern Seaboard Region leadership team, and Goh is a member of the NAHPL Research Symposium Committee.

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