A three-year-old climbs inside his very own rocket ship. In the process, he gives us data on how to prevent one of the most serious epidemics facing American children.
It’s a fresh approach by a multidisciplinary team of experts at UNC Greensboro who have joined forces to combat childhood obesity.
Obesity affects 14.7 million children and adolescents in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is associated with some of the leading causes of death worldwide, including death from diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some forms of cancer.
Jefferson-Pilot Excellence Professor Esther Leerkes is principal investigator on the $3 million NIH-funded “iGrowUP” study, which is tracking children from ages three through five – a time in their lives when they begin developing independent self-regulatory behaviors.
The study is an expansion of UNCG’s prestigious $2.8 million iGrow – Infant Growth and Development – study.
“Once a child becomes overweight or obese, it’s very difficult to reverse that trajectory. There’s more attention now on what you can do early in life to prevent weight problems.“
These are just a few of the North Carolinians aided by the Center for Youth, Family and Community Partnerships at UNCG.
For more than a quarter of a century, the center, known as CYFCP, has addressed pressing social concerns among families, children, and young adults across all 100 counties in North Carolina, through wide-ranging programs.
Today, the center continues to expand, with funding skyrocketing to $6.8 million and a robust staff – currently 30 people – closely collaborating with the community.
“What all the programs in the center share is the translation of research to practice for the greater good – and authentic partnerships with the community,” says Terri Shelton, UNCG’s vice chancellor for research & engagement and a prior director of the CYFCP.
Community engagement isn’t just a catchphrase for the center: working in tandem with the community is their North Star.
“Partnerships with the community are at the heart of what we do, and I would say a lot of evolution for us has been, ‘Where’s the community’s need?.’”
Imagine a place where scholars are encouraged to teach, research, and publish – and translate that work into practical solutions that can scale up quickly and effectively.
While many universities reward faculty members who pursue patents, license agreements, and industry collaborations, it’s less common to find an institution that also invests in social innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Social innovation is the intentional development of creative solutions to society’s problems to create positive change,” explains UNCG’s Chief Innovation Officer Dr. David Wyrick. “Social entrepreneurship is similar, but there is an additional focus on applying entrepreneurial principles and generating revenue to achieve sustainability and scalability.” UNCG is building a deliberate culture of both social innovation and social entrepreneurship – and North Carolina communities are reaping the benefits.
It starts with the desire to solve an acute community problem. The need for trauma training among counselors and teachers. To address COVID-19 learning losses in K-12.
“It refers to the development and implementation of new ideas, products, or services that can be applied across the non-profit, public, and private sectors.”
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To Tell the Truth
In a year, entrepreneurship and fine art major Miles-Moultrie launched an exhibit, took 1st at the undergrad expo, and became an AXA Art Prize finalist. -
Voices, Seen
Doctoral student Stacy Huff prioritizes giving young people a voice as part of her research into issues impacting their behavioral health.
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A draw for students
MFA students Liz Anderson and Tiffany Moss launch “Drawn to Dance,” free public events at the Weatherspoon where dancers improvise performances for artists.
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Little bits of wonder
Master’s student Noah Holland is working to better understand where and when chiggers appear across North Carolina.
From the Vice Chancellor
This issue marks the 15th year of my tenure as chief research officer and my last. What struck me when I looked at the issue we published in my first year is what still moves me in this latest issue – the depth, disciplinary breadth, interdisciplinarity, and quality of the research, scholarship, and creative activity produced by our faculty, staff, and students.
Recently UNCG was recognized again by the Carnegie Foundation for our excellence in community engagement, and we also received the APLU’s designation for excellence in innovation and economic prosperity. The scholarly heterogeneity you find in these pages feeds that larger context – these scholars, and many more like them, are co-creating new knowledge and transforming both our communities and our students.
In many ways, UNCG scholarship reflects …
