The Community Engagement Hero Awards program recognizes outstanding individuals who have worked as part of a community-academic research partnership (between a community group and a UT San Antonio research team) for the improved health and well-being of Texas communities. Community members, healthcare practitioners, research teams, and students/trainees are eligible.
Dr. Janna Lesser was a longtime champion of community engagement. Her work reflected a deep commitment to building equitable, meaningful partnerships between communities and academic institutions. This awards program honors her legacy by recognizing individuals and projects that embody the values she championed—trust, collaboration, shared leadership, and a commitment to improving the health and well-being of South Texas communities.
Award categories include:
- Outstanding Student Award – This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and follow-through as part of a community service learning project or internship that has created a tangible benefit for a community and academic partnership.
- Outstanding Community Partner Award – This award recognizes community members who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and devoted their time, talents, and expertise for improving their community’s health and well-being.
- Outstanding Research Partner Award – This award recognizes research faculty, staff, and/or trainees who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment for collaboratively developing projects that promote leadership and shared learning to address community health concerns.
- Outstanding Community Health Improvement Project – This award recognizes outstanding health improvement projects that address community-identified health concerns. Single projects or a series of projects focused on a community health priority qualify.
Submit your Community Engagement Hero Award Nomination(s) by October 12th by 8:00am HERE.
