Panel Narratives
Symposium Panels:
Panel 1: Building a Coherent Office of Outreach and Engagement
Moderator: Manuel Montoya (University of New Mexico)
The panel will bring together leaders in Community Engagement from the University of New Mexico, University of Arizona, Texas Tech University, and the University of Texas at El Paso to explore their engagement and impact on communities throughout the region. As these institutions hold the Carnegie Classification of being Research 1 as well as Hispanic Serving Institutions, the panelists will discuss the diversity of the communities they serve and share insights on developing best practices for future engagements. Together, they will aim to identify effective strategies for fostering deeper connections and driving positive change in the regions they impact.
Panel 2: Why Carnegie? Leveraging the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
Moderator: Cammie Jones-Friedrichs (Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching)
The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is a prestigious designation, yet its true value and strategic potential are not always fully appreciated. In this panel, Cammie Jones, Director of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, will explore the significance of this classification and its role in enhancing community engagement at institutions. She will share insights on how universities can strategically leverage the Carnegie Classification to align their engagement practices with broader institutional goals, maximize their impact, and address existing challenges. Additionally, the panel will showcase success stories, share best practices, and discuss how the classification can elevate an institution's community engagement efforts both internally and externally.
Panel 3: Tenure and Promotion for Engaged Scholarship
Moderator: Tim B. Castillo (University of New Mexico)
Community engagement scholars often encounter substantial challenges in the tenure and promotion process within higher education. While there is increasing recognition of the value of civic involvement, traditional academic metrics still prioritize research output and publications, often sidelining community-based scholarship. This results in a lack of clear criteria for assessing the impact and significance of community engagement initiatives. This panel will examine the vital role that tenure and promotion policies play in recognizing and supporting engaged scholarship.
Symposium Panelist:
Texas Tech University
ROD N. WILLIAMS, PH.D.
Vice Provost for Outreach & Engagement
Dr. Rod Williams was appointed Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement at Texas Tech University in January 2024. In this role, he connects faculty, staff, and students with communities to build mutually beneficial partnerships, championing scholarly work that addresses community needs. Prior to Texas Tech, Dr. Williams served at Purdue University as Assistant Provost for Engagement, and he has a distinguished career as a professor and researcher, particularly in conservation genetics. His leadership in the restoration of the Eastern Hellbender exemplifies his commitment to impactful outreach. A Purdue alumnus, he has published extensively and received numerous awards for his contributions to both academia and community engagement.
ERSELA KRIPA
Associate Vice Provost for Outreach & Engagement
Ersela Kripa is the Associate Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement at Texas Tech University, as well as an Associate Professor and Director of the Huckabee College of Architecture in El Paso. She also leads POST (Project for Operative Spatial Technologies) and co-founded the architecture practice AGENCY. Her distinguished career has earned her numerous accolades, including the Rome Prize in Architecture and the Emerging Voices award from The Architectural League of New York. Her research and design work focus on addressing surveillance and control in public spaces, often shaped by her experiences growing up in communist Albania. AGENCY’s work has been exhibited globally, including at prestigious venues such as the Venice Biennale and the Hong Kong–Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale.
University of Colorado
Jeanne McDonald
Office for Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship
Jeanne McDonald is the Associate Director of the Office for Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship at CU Boulder, where she has been an integral part of the team since 2006. She coordinates the CU Boulder Engaged Scholarship Grants (Tiers 3 and 4), oversees programming, manages the campus Community Outreach and Engagement Programs website, and leads the Community Perspectives program. With nearly 30 years of service at CU Boulder, Jeanne has worked across multiple departments, including the Office of Community Relations and the College of Music. She also brings experience from roles at South Coast Repertory Theatre and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Jeanne holds a bachelor’s degree in drama from Colorado College and a master’s in theatre from CU Boulder.
University of Texas at El Paso
Jennifer (Jenna) M. Lujan, M.Ed.
Center for Community Engagement
Jennifer M. Lujan has been committed to serving The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) for 18 years. As Director for the past year, her main focus has been promoting the university's academic-based community engagement mission and connecting students, faculty, and staff with the community. Ms. Lujan is experienced in managing grant-funded projects and programs, building and maintaining community partnerships, and implementing student high-impact practices. In addition to her Director role, she teaches a Political Science course called "Leadership and Civic Responsibility," which allows her students to engage and participate with community organizations. Ms. Lujan holds a B.A. and M.ED. from UTEP.
University of Arizona
Jennifer Hatcher, PhD, MPH, MSN
Vice Provost & Chief Inclusion Officer
Dr. Jennifer Hatcher, PhD, MPH, MSN, was appointed Vice Provost and Chief Inclusion Officer at the University of Arizona in February 2024, after serving as interim since August 2023. With a strong background in nursing and public health, Dr. Hatcher previously led inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility initiatives at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. As a professor and associate director at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, she founded the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, focusing on health equity, particularly among indigenous communities. Her work has led to impactful programs like the Research Outreach for Southern Arizona and partnerships with tribal communities to address cancer disparities. Dr. Hatcher holds nursing degrees from West Virginia University and a PhD in Nursing and MPH from the University of Kentucky, and her dedication to diversity and inclusion has made her a transformative leader in advancing health equity.
