The Office of Community Engaged Research and Practice (CERP) leads the growth of the college’s interdisciplinary, community engaged research and practice activities as part of its mission to reduce health inequities and improve the health and well-being of the community. With the guidance of our advisory committees, the office cultivates partnerships between the college, local organizations and community members; supports collaborative efforts to obtain internal and external funding; and builds capacity for community engaged work within the college and its partners through curricula development, community lectures and educational trainings.

Our vision

Our long-term goal is to integrate community voice into the College of Public Health's activities, initiatives and priorities and make the college known for excellence in community engaged research, teaching and practice.

Our mission

CERP's mission is to advance community engaged research, teaching and practice for transformative social change, justice and health equity. We use participatory approaches to achieve this goal by:

• Increasing the capacity for equitable and mutually beneficial partnerships between the college and local, regional and national partners
• Facilitating connections and nurturing strong, sustainable relationships between the college and local health-, faith- and community-based organizations
• Sharing resources and information about community engaged research and practice, public health and healthcare
• Facilitating collaborative efforts to obtain internal and external funding

Our core values

Central to all of our work is communicating with openness and accountability to provide high-quality service. CERP is committed to the following core values:

• Supporting community: We amplify community strengths, assets and values
• Reciprocity in partnerships: We create and foster partnerships wherein all parties contribute to the work and benefit from the partnership
• Innovation and creativity: We support novel, evidence-based solutions to public health problems
• Inclusion and diversity: We welcome and value the experiences, opinions and contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Integrity: We build trust by conducting our practice with honesty and with uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values
• Transformation: We advocate for radical social and political changes that enhance health and well-being where we live, work and play