Two University of Georgia faculty members have received national honors from the Engagement Scholarship Consortium (ESC) for their contributions to community-engaged scholarship. The ESC is recognized as a leading international organization in public service and community-engaged research, honoring institutions and individuals with significant achievements in this area.
Henry N. Young, head of the department of clinical and administrative pharmacy and Kroger Professor in the College of Pharmacy, was awarded the ESC Excellence in Faculty Community Engagement Award. Young’s work began in Pulaski County through UGA’s Archway Partnership, which connects communities with university resources. During a health assessment session, Young discovered that some residents were not seeking routine care for chronic conditions, resulting in negative health outcomes.
In response, Young created the Fishers of Men initiative, which brings together community and academic partners to implement evidence-based interventions aimed at improving well-being in rural areas. The initiative has been successful in Pulaski and nearby counties.
Young emphasized the importance of existing relationships: “Archway is the linchpin to making those relationships with the communities,” Young said. “As a faculty member, I stand on their shoulders in a sense and am trusted because of the relationships that already exist.”
He expressed hope for expanding the program: “What I want people to know most is that this kind of work is feasible,” Young said. “Community-based participatory research principles can come to life with the help of already established relationships through groups like Archway.”
The ESC Excellence in Faculty Community Engagement Award recognizes faculty who lead exemplary community-engaged programs with significant scholarly impact.
Lorilee Sandmann, professor emerita from UGA’s Mary Frances Early College of Education, received the Hiram E. Fitzgerald Distinguished Engaged Scholar Award. Sandmann retired in 2015 after nearly five decades in higher education roles focused on leadership, organizational change, and institutionalizing community engagement. She also served as editor of the Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement at UGA.
Sandmann highlighted the collaborative nature of engaged scholarship: “Engaged scholarship isn’t just about strengthening the community or the institution. It’s about building genuine partnerships where expertise and knowledge flow both ways,” she said.
The Distinguished Engaged Scholar Award is a lifetime achievement honor recognizing contributions to research and practice in community-engaged scholarship.
At this year’s ESC conference, UGA scholars also presented research on programs such as PROPEL and Learning by Leading. PROPEL, based at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, brings together faculty, staff, students, and community leaders to support rural economic development and student experiential learning. Learning by Leading, at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, provides students with leadership opportunities through mentorship and hands-on experience.
Other presentations addressed topics including support for students with foster care or homelessness backgrounds, connecting students with rural communities through internships, and personalizing assistance for student veterans.
