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Graciela Alvarez Leon, a community health worker supervisor at the Cleveland Clinic, knows how life-changing support can be. “It’s about building trust and making sure patients know they’re not alone,” Emerson said. 

Leon's passion for helping families aligned with �鶹��ѡ’s  in the College of Public Health. In December, Emerson earned the certificate, placing her among the first cohort to complete the program.

Leon enrolled in the Community Health Worker Supervision Undergraduate Certificate program in July 2025. The 100% online certificate provides essential skills in leadership, planning, finance, program management and workforce development.

“I had the opportunity to have the asynchronous mode so I could do my assignments at my own pace,” Leon said. “I worked hard during the week to be able to have a little bit of a break during the weekends. Sometimes I was busy all week, so I had to work very hard during the weekends, so that was definitely a big advantage.”

Certificate Strengthens Leadership Skills

The Community Health Worker Supervision Undergraduate Certificate is designed for professionals responsible for managing and supporting community health workers within various healthcare and public health settings. The certificate provides essential skills in leadership, planning, finance, program management and workforce development to ensure that community health worker supervisors are effectively trained, supported and integrated into healthcare teams.

Aimee Budnik, part-time faculty in the College of Public Health, said there are very limited upward opportunities for community health workers unless it is built into the organization that employs them. A certificate gives them the foundational skills to become a supervisor.

"Sometimes people are promoted into the lead or supervisory position, and there isn't always specialized training for them," Budnik said. "This kind of program will balance both their interests and passion and their experiences as community health workers, coupled with the ability to be a successful supervisor because they are getting the management, financial experience and the leadership skills in the public health practice."

Budnik adds that community health worker supervisors are the GPS that navigates all of the complex needs that might be necessary to address resources like housing and employment. Students gain expertise with best practices for supervision, including communication strategies, cultural competency, conflict resolution and professional development.

This certificate is ideal for professionals currently certified as community health workers or healthcare administrators, public health professionals and program managers who oversee community health workers. Graduates of this certificate are equipped to foster supportive and effective environments that maximize the impact of community health workers in improving community health outreach.

Training for Impact

Leon, a native of Cuernavaca, Mexico, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and worked as a tourism and travel agent for 25 years. She came to the U.S. in 2001. When 9/11 occurred, the travel industry suffered. 

She began working at the Cleveland Clinic in 2013, holding several roles, including Patient Service Representative, Patient Coordinator, and Administrative Assistant. In 2019, the Department of Community Outreach recognized her bilingual skills and offered her a position as a Bilingual Patient Navigator, which marked the beginning of her direct work with the community.

In October 2022, she joined the Community Health department as a Community Health Worker (CHW). After two years in this role, she was promoted to Team Leader for the CHW team. While serving in this position, she was offered the opportunity to participate in the �鶹��ѡCommunity Health Worker Supervision Undergraduate program, with the incentive of transitioning into a supervisor role upon successful completion of the training.

Leon's daughter, Alejandra Silverio, who earned two bachelor’s degrees in 2015, one in psychology and one in human development and family studies, and a master’s degree in 2021, helped her mother. “I never studied in the U.S.,” Leon said. “My daughter helped me navigate.” Leon spoke to �鶹��ѡToday about her experiences in the program.

As Leon worked on her degree, she received a referral for a pregnant patient who was unhoused and moved between friends’ and relatives’ homes. The instability made it difficult for Cleveland Clinic teams to keep up with doctor appointments.

When Leon reconnected with the pregnant patient, she asked if she would consider Zelie’s Home, a shelter for pregnant women. She had declined before, but this time she agreed. Soon, the pregnant woman had a safe place to stay, a Pack ‘n Play from Cleveland Clinic’s Mother Baby Resource Center, and safe sleep and breastfeeding education, all facilitated by Leon. A collaboration with Birthing Beautiful Communities in Cleveland provided a travel system and transportation.

With the stability of housing, the pregnant patient delivered a healthy baby girl and transitioned out of the shelter and moved in with family in Summit County.

Leon's commitment to helping others and her value for education and professional growth were strengthened through Kent State’s Community Health Worker Supervision Undergraduate Certificate program.

For more information about �鶹��ѡ’s .

For more information about Kent State’s College of Public Health.