Report on Augusta University’s 2025 Excellence in Community Engagement Awards

Executive Summary

Augusta University’s Office of Community Engagement has formally recognized faculty, staff, students, and community partners for their exemplary contributions to university-community collaboration. The 2025 Excellence in Community Engagement Awards highlight initiatives that directly address critical community needs and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The recognized efforts in service-learning, community-based research, and sustained partnerships demonstrate a profound connection between the university’s mission and the well-being of the communities it serves. The awardees’ work exemplifies a commitment to creating sustainable impact through education, health, economic growth, and institutional collaboration.

Analysis of Award Recipients and SDG Contributions

The following individuals and organizations were honored for their significant impact. Each initiative is analyzed for its alignment with specific Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Excellence in Service-Learning Faculty Award: Carrie Reif-Stice, PhD

   • Dr. Reif-Stice integrated service-learning into public relations and social media courses, creating partnerships with local businesses.
   • This initiative provided students with practical, real-world experience while developing strategic campaigns that supported local economic entities.
   • The program fosters professional connections, creating pathways for future internships and employment for emerging professionals.
   • Primary SDG Contributions:
     • SDG 4 (Quality Education): Enhancing curricula with practical, career-oriented learning experiences.
     • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Supporting local businesses and equipping students with valuable job skills.
     • SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Forging effective partnerships between academia and the local business community.

2. Excellence in Community Engagement Staff Award: Ketarya Hunt Bass

   • As Director of Community Outreach Programs for the Dental College of Georgia, Ms. Bass has demonstrated over 15 years of dedication to public health.
   • She leads HRSA-funded programs that connect senior dental students with underserved populations, coordinating nearly 100 externships annually across Georgia.
   • Her work is instrumental in expanding access to essential dental care in rural and marginalized communities.
   • Primary SDG Contributions:
     • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Directly improving public health outcomes by increasing access to dental services.
     • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Focusing on providing care to underserved and marginalized populations, reducing health disparities.
     • SDG 4 (Quality Education): Facilitating critical hands-on clinical training for dental students in diverse community settings.

3. Excellence in Community Engagement Undergraduate Student Award: Anna Reeves

   • An integrated studies major, Ms. Reeves has shown an extraordinary commitment to community service, volunteering on seven local boards while managing studies, business ownership, and family life.
   • She played a vital role in an initiative to provide crocheted items to neonatal units, securing a partnership with Project Linus to ensure its success.
   • Her work promotes civic engagement and she plans to continue her service by mentoring future business leaders.
   • Primary SDG Contributions:
     • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Actively working to make her community more inclusive and resilient through extensive civic participation.
     • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Contributing to the welfare of vulnerable infants in neonatal care.
     • SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Promoting civic engagement and strengthening community-based organizations.

4. Excellence in Community Engagement Graduate Student Award: Mitchell Hanson

   • An MD-MPH student, Mr. Hanson has demonstrated leadership in health care advocacy by founding the Augusta Free Dermatology Clinic.
   • His work expands access to specialized medical care for those in need and includes mentoring fellow students in community-based service.
   • His efforts focus on patient advocacy, educational outreach, and improving the structures of medical education to be more socially responsive.
   • Primary SDG Contributions:
     • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Establishing new avenues for free health care services.
     • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Reducing barriers to health care for vulnerable populations.
     • SDG 4 (Quality Education): Mentoring peers and enhancing medical education with a focus on community health.

5. Outstanding Community Partner Award: Asociación Latina de Servicios del CSRA (ALAS)

   • ALAS has made a significant impact on advancing health equity in the Augusta area through its partnership with the Medical College of Georgia.
   • The organization operates a freestanding clinic and supports over 150 student volunteers and 75 licensed providers, creating a robust system for community care.
   • Innovative programs such as Peds 2U, the Vision Clinic, and the Halo Clinic provide targeted care while offering invaluable learning opportunities for future health professionals.
   • Primary SDG Contributions:
     • SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Exemplifying a highly effective and sustainable partnership between a community organization and a major university.
     • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Delivering a wide range of essential health services to the community.
     • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Focusing on the specific health needs of the Latino community to promote health equity.
     • SDG 4 (Quality Education): Shaping culturally competent health professionals through immersive, hands-on clinical experience.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several initiatives by Augusta University’s faculty, staff, students, and community partners that directly connect to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The core themes of community engagement, health care access, quality education through practical experience, and partnerships are central to the article.

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article extensively covers efforts to improve public health and provide medical services to underserved communities. This includes dental outreach, free dermatology clinics, and general health services, directly aligning with the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education: The initiatives are rooted in an educational context. The article emphasizes “service-learning,” “real-world experiences,” and “hands-on learning opportunities” for students. This enhances the quality of education by equipping students with practical skills and a sense of civic responsibility.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By providing students with practical experience and professional connections, the programs contribute to their employability. The article notes that a service-learning course “fosters connections for emerging professionals, opening doors for future internships and employment,” which relates to promoting productive employment.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: A significant focus of the community work is on reducing health disparities. The article mentions providing care to “underserved populations,” “rural and marginalized communities,” and advancing “health equity” for the Latino community through the Asociación Latina de Servicios del CSRA (ALAS).
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The entire article is a testament to the power of collaboration. It celebrates “university-community collaboration” and highlights partnerships between the university, local businesses, non-profit organizations (like ALAS and Project Linus), and student groups to achieve common goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities described, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 3.8 (under SDG 3): “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services…” This is demonstrated by the work of Ketarya Hunt Bass in expanding dental care to underserved populations, Mitchell Hanson’s founding of the Augusta Free Dermatology Clinic, and ALAS’s operation of a freestanding clinic to advance health equity.
• Target 4.4 (under SDG 4): “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.” Carrie Reif-Stice’s service-learning course, where students develop public relations campaigns for local businesses, directly provides students with relevant, real-world skills for future employment.
• Target 4.7 (under SDG 4): “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including… global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity…” The collaboration with ALAS creates “hands-on learning opportunities that shape culturally competent health professionals,” which aligns with this target’s emphasis on appreciating cultural diversity and promoting sustainable community development.
• Target 8.6 (under SDG 8): “By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.” While the target year has passed, the spirit of the target is addressed. The service-learning course that “fosters connections for emerging professionals, opening doors for future internships and employment” is a direct effort to ensure students are prepared to enter the workforce.
• Target 10.2 (under SDG 10): “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… race, ethnicity… or other status.” The work with ALAS to serve the Latino community and the broader focus on “rural and marginalized communities” are clear examples of promoting inclusion by ensuring access to essential services like health care.
• Target 17.17 (under SDG 17): “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The entire awards event and the initiatives it celebrates are examples of this target in action. The article explicitly mentions partnerships between the university and local businesses (7Brew Coffee), non-profits (ALAS, Project Linus), and the community at large.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• For Target 3.8 (Health Coverage):
  • Quantitative: The article states that Ketarya Hunt Bass coordinates “nearly 100 externships annually.” ALAS supports “more than 150 student volunteers and 75 licensed providers.”
  • Qualitative: The establishment of specific clinics like the “Augusta Free Dermatology Clinic,” “Peds 2U,” “the Vision Clinic,” and “the Halo Clinic” serves as an indicator of expanded access to health services.
• For Target 4.4 (Relevant Skills for Employment):
  • Qualitative: The description of the service-learning course where students develop “strategic campaign development” for local businesses is an indicator of skills acquisition. The outcome of “opening doors for future internships and employment” is a direct measure of success.
• For Target 10.2 (Reduced Inequalities):
  • Qualitative: The specific mention of programs aimed at the “Latino community” through ALAS and outreach to “rural and marginalized communities” indicates a focus on including specific, often excluded, groups.
• For Target 17.17 (Partnerships):
  • Quantitative: The article mentions Anna Reeves volunteering on “seven local boards.”
  • Qualitative: The existence of the “Excellence in Community Engagement Awards” itself is an indicator of the university’s commitment to fostering partnerships. The specific naming of partners like “7Brew Coffee, Swank Co., the Augusta Press,” and “Asociación Latina de Servicios del CSRA” indicates the breadth of these collaborations.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: jagwire.augusta.edu