Mission
TCI partners with Utahns to co-create knowledge and solutions addressing social issues that matter to our communities.
Values
- Mutual Respect: Center the expertise and assets of partners and communities
- Mutual Benefit: Create value for all partners
- Commitment: Uphold shared goals, outputs, and outcomes to improve community well-being
- Co-creation: Collaborate with partners to develop evidence-driven, sustainable solutions
- Co-ownership: Steward partners to own and use the knowledge and solutions created
- Inclusivity: Identify and meaningfully incorporate diverse voices and perspectives
- Humility: Embrace a growth mindset and willingness to continuously learn from and with others
- Adaptability: Respond to changing needs, priorities, and circumstances within communities
Approach
TCI projects, activities, and programs are community-driven and connected to focus areas aligned with the social determinants of health. TCI collaborates with Utahns to address social issues by applying the Framework for Collaborative Community Action on Health through community-engaged research and solution building; professional education and training; and other consulting and capacity-building services.
Community-Engaged Research & Solution Building
TCI coordinates opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to engage meaningfully with communities and organizations and conduct research and solution-building on social issues that are prioritized by residents, practitioners, and leaders. TCI facilitates the change process to develop, implement, and advocate for evidence-driven solutions to improve community well-being.
- Community-engaged research and solution building projects on social issues, change processes, and solutions that are initiated by community partners and usually involve collaboration between faculty, staff, students, and community organizations/groups
Project Examples
Assessment: Exploring community attitudes towards a warming center solution in the Bear River Region
Solution: William A. Burnard Warming Center
Assessment: Individuals with low-to-moderate incomes have minimal or no access to quality legal representation
Solution: Community Justice Advocate Certificate
Assessment: USU Food Security & Student Nutrition Access Center Study
Solution: Building internal and external awareness, a proposal to add student fees, university-driven food drive, etc.
- Transforming Communities Journal - Peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes community-based research and practice knowledge on complex social problems, innovative solutions, and new advancements to address community challenges
- USU Community-Engaged Scholars Network (CESN) - CESN is a collaborative, interdisciplinary network that connects USU scholars (faculty, staff, and students) with communities throughout Utah to build knowledge and create solutions to address social issues
Community Education & Professional Development
We collaborate with university and community partners to develop and facilitate the education and training of current and future professionals to ethically and efficiently conduct community practice and engage in productive work that addresses social problems through evidence-based approaches.
- Non-Credit & For-Credit Education – Creating education opportunities (i.e., certifications/certificates, emphasis areas, micro-credentialing) for professionals-in-training who are interested in community practice and other areas that address social problems
- Continuing Education & Training – Providing low-cost or free continuing education and training for professionals who engage in community practice to improve social conditions
- Utah Conference on Community Engagement – This conference serves as an annual gathering for scholars – faculty, staff, students, and community partners – to share evidence-based practices and findings in community-engaged research, teaching, and service.
Consulting & Other Capacity-Building Services
We serve as consultants for organizations and communities who need assistance in research (e.g., assessment, evaluation, and traditional); program/organization development and management; education and training; and advocacy efforts.
Executive Director: Dr. Jayme Walters
jayme.walters@usu.edu