As part of the National Safety Council Scholarship program, the Certificate Assistance Program helps support individuals on a safety career path obtain their NSC Advanced Safety Certificate® (ASC). Through the ASC program, NSC teaches best practices to those who are transitioning into a safety career or are currently in safety roles within their organization and need additional professional development to create a more proactive process for safety and health.
This year, NSC awarded five safety heroes with a scholarship to complete the ASC program. Congratulations to all!
Amelia Valdez
Amelia is the safety and training manager for Millard Public Schools, the third largest school district in Nebraska. Her interest in public health stemmed from the desire to improve the health and well-being of many people. She holds a masters of public health degree from the University of Texas. After graduating, Amelia worked as a food safety inspector and auditor and then became a medical screener and family advocate where she developed a passion for workplace safety.
Daniel Washington
Daniel works as an environmental health and safety technician for Tesla Inc. in Lanthrop, California. He strives to make safety a primary focus in this fast-paced manufacturing environment. Daniel's background in emergency medical services and as a U.S. Army MEDEVAC inspired his passion for a career in safety. Daniel is pursuing a master's degree in occupational health and safety with a special focus on environmental issues.
Lauren Ketchum
Lauren is a safety/continuous improvement coordinator at Conner Industries Inc., with six years of experience. Her focus at Conner Industries has been incident rate reduction through improved training, cross-functional team involvement and industry compliance. Lauren holds a bachelor of science degree in manufacturing engineering technology from Tarleton State University. Her passion is people and ensuring that everyone is involved when it comes to embracing cultural changes in the workplace.
Timothy Kenebrew
Tim is a safety professional with over five years of experience in the construction industry. He began his career in the construction industry with the Zachry Group at the ExxonMobil facilities in Beaumont, Texas. He later joined the B&E Resources team as a safety technician and now serves as the project safety coordinator at the ExxonMobil Beaumont Complex. Tim holds a master’s degree from Lamar University in educational leadership and administration, and he believes the key to growth in any profession is engaging in ongoing learning and development. His goal as a safety professional is to ensure his colleagues go home each day unharmed and injury-free. Tim stated, “It is my firm belief that safety in the workplace is the result of a deliberate and intentional effort and should never be left to luck or chance.”
Additional Scholarship Recipient: Dakota Gabriel
NSC congratulates these individuals for their commitment to saving lives and preventing injuries. For those interested in applying for a 2024 scholarship award, applications will open in April.
