Campus Compact is pleased to announce that Devra Dang, clinical professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Connecticut, has been awarded Campus Compact’s Thomas Ehrlich Civically Engaged Faculty Award. The award, presented in partnership with Brown University’s Swearer Center, recognizes senior faculty who practice exemplary engaged scholarship through teaching and research. Recipients are selected on the basis of their collaboration with communities, institutional impact, and high-quality academic work.
Dang is recognized for her tremendous depth and longevity in community-engaged learning. She is a founding faculty member of the nationally recognized Urban Service Track program, an interprofessional curriculum that aims to develop future healthcare clinicians who are committed to caring for urban, underserved populations through a partnership-oriented team approach. Over many years, Dang’s students have partnered with and learned from communities in great need of resources during their training experience, epitomizing the value and efficacy of long-standing partnerships and collaboration in higher education community engagement.
“Dr. Dang’s educational innovations to instill a commitment to community outreach and engagement have had a significant impact on our school of pharmacy, university, and the lives of her students and patients,” said C. Michael White, professor and department head of the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, in a letter nominating Dang for the award. “Our students learn how to advocate for vulnerable populations and work collaboratively with the communities they serve to identify health‐related needs, provide inclusive care, and combat health disparities.”
In addition, Michelle Billies, associate professor of mental health and human services at Kingsborough Community College, also received this year’s Ehrlich Award.
“I am glowing in reflected glory having just read the remarkable achievements of Devra Dang and Michelle Billies,” said Thomas Ehrlich, former chair of the Campus Compact Board of Directors and president emeritus of Indiana University. “Both are true stars in the realm of civic engagement.”
The Thomas Ehrlich Civically Engaged Faculty Award is presented as part of Campus Compact’s Impact Awards, which recognize the outstanding work of individuals and institutions in pursuit of the public purposes of higher education. Read more about the other awards and this year’s recipients here.
The recipients of these awards will be recognized at Compact24, Campus Compact’s annual conference, which will be held in Denver, Colorado from April 8-10, 2024.
