The Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington proudly recognizes several members of our community whose work exemplifies a deep commitment to meaningful, community-engaged public health practice.
This spring, the Community Engaged Learning (CEL) Conference—hosted by the Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning (CITL)Service Learning Program (SLP) —brought together faculty, students, and community partners to highlight courses that integrate hands-on, community-based learning. The event featured presentations, collaborative sessions, and recognition of outstanding partnerships across campus.
Image credit: IU Undergraduate Education
Becca Lassell, assistant professor in the Department of Health & Wellness Design, received the Community Engaged Learning Partnership Award alongside community partner Brandon Query of Orange County Community Gardens in Paoli, Indiana. Together, they co-designed and co-taught SPH-R 550 Designing Accessible Spaces for Healthy Places, where students developed an accessible ramp design to improve entry to the garden space.
Image credit: IU Undergraduate Education
Pezhman Raeisian Parvari, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Health & Wellness Design, received the Excellence in Community Engaged Learning Student Award for his thoughtful guidance on the Paoli design project. His approach ensured community members felt heard and that the design process remained grounded in their input.
Image credit: IU Undergraduate Education
Georgia Frey, associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology, was also recognized with the Community Engaged Learning Partnership Award for her work in SPH-K398 Adapted Physical Activity and the Indiana University Adapted Physical Activity (IUAPA) program. For 25 years, IUAPA has paired IU students with individuals with disabilities in South Central Indiana for individualized physical activity programming.
Image credit: IU Center for Rural Engagement
In May, the Center for Rural Engagement’s Rural Conference recognized Priscilla Barnes, associate professor in the Department of Applied Health Science and founding director of the Center for Community-Engaged Dissemination and Implementation Research (CCEDIR). She was honored for her sustained leadership in rural public health initiatives, including community health assessments, strategic partnerships, and collaborative research efforts.
"I am immensely proud of the way our faculty and students at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington advance community-engaged scholarship and practice in service of healthier communities across Indiana and beyond. These honors reflect the depth of their commitment, the strength of their partnerships, and the meaningful difference their work is making in the lives of others," says Kurt M. Ribisl, Dean.
Together, these recognitions highlight the meaningful, community-centered work taking place across SPH-B. From classrooms to community settings, our faculty, students, and partners are carrying our mission into their everyday work—advancing public health practice through collaboration, relationships, and care.
Read more of how SPH-B faculty, staff, and students are making a difference at go.iu.edu/48bx.