As we continue to confront society’s most pressing challenges, it is critical for universities and communities to collaborate in creating tangible impact. Whether developing new ways to support the most vulnerable residents after a natural disaster or teaching couples how to communicate effectively during unprecedented times, we need collaborative, interdisciplinary solutions to help people not just overcome adversity — but grow from it.

That focus is central to creating community resilience. This multifaceted issue has social, economic, and environmental implications.

It’s also the driving force behind the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE). In 2018, UCF brought together a cross-section of academic programs with a purpose: to build stronger communities and elevate the human experience. With five departments, three schools, and 11 centers and institutes, together, we tackle complex challenges like community resilience through community-engaged research and partnership.

Our feature story dives into how CCIE researchers engage community partners to strengthen response systems that help vulnerable populations bounce back from major disruptions such as natural disasters, drug addiction and economic hardships.

In other departments, we showcase how CCIE researchers are also addressing big issues that affect us locally and nationally, from teacher retention and accessible HIV/AIDS education to developing tools that help homeowners make informed decisions on disaster mitigation.

Our focus at CCIE is to prepare our students to be good citizens and advocates who develop solutions that benefit our society and our communities. In this issue, we highlight one of our alums who is doing just that through his Orlando-based nonprofit, which provides critical services to people experiencing homelessness.

I hope the stories in this issue share what’s possible when researchers and communities join forces in developing innovative ways to uplift all of us.

Charge On,

Grant Hayes, Ph.D.
Dean