Community Engaged Scholars

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2026-2027 Community Engaged Scholars

Applications are open for the 2026-27 Southern Miss Community Engaged Scholars, a research group for faculty committed to community impact and the public mission of higher education.  

Through this group, faculty will gain skills for conducting community-engaged research, develop impactful projects alongside community partners, and produce scholarly work that addresses critical community issues (both local and regional). As many critical community issues require solutions that are interdisciplinary in nature, this program also encourages the development of interdisciplinary connections among faculty engaged in community-engaged scholarship.

The cohort will:

• Build connections with other community-engaged faculty
• Develop skills in community-engaged research or creative activities
• Participate in site visits with local organizations

Participating faculty are eligible for a $1,000 stipend ($500 for each semester of participation). Faculty are encouraged to participate in both the fall and spring semesters; however, only the fall semester is required. Also, while it is encouraged that participants will use this opportunity to launch or enhance community-engaged scholarship, it is not a requirement for participation. 

Individuals who do complete both semesters will be eligible for $500 in the subsequent year (AY 27-28) for costs associated with community engaged project development or implementation. Funds may be used for (but not limited to) travel, supplies, wages, books, audiovisuals, meeting costs, community partner expenses, training, and/or other resources. Gift card purchases must follow USM’s gift card policies and procedures.  

Participants will also receive special consideration for the $5,000 Interdisciplinary Investigations Grant in 2027–2028.  

The program is limited to six full-time faculty. Applicants may apply individually or as interdisciplinary research teams.

Meeting Schedule

We will meet five times each semester (fall and spring), approximately every other week, for 1 hour. The schedule will be set based on participants' availability once they are selected.

Application Questions

1. Name, Phone, Email, Box #
2. Discipline, School, College
3. Rank/Role
4. Are you applying as a team or as an individual?  
   - [If team] List names of team members:
5. Describe your goals for participating in the Community-Engaged Scholars Program. What do you hope to accomplish? Some examples include establishing a new partnership, engaging with partners to identify priorities, collaborating with a partner to submit a grant proposal, developing a shared research agenda, and/or writing a peer reviewed journal article.
6. What type of community-engaged scholarship would you like to engage in or develop? If you do not yet have a clearly defined idea, please describe the general topic.
7. Briefly describe your past experience working with community partners, if applicable. Regardless of previous experience, what kind of potential partnerships would you like to develop?

Please submit application (emailed PDF) by 5pm on Sept. 11, 2026, to Christy Kayser, Director, Center for Community Engagement, and Ann Marie Kinnell, Director, School of Interdisciplinary Studies & Professional Development.

Program Contact Information

• Ann%20Marie%20Kinnell | 601-266-4659
• Christy%20Kayser | 601-266-6467