This summer, UCA Director of Marketing in Outreach and Community Engagement Kristy Carter received the first-ever Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O. Community Engagement Impact Award.
Carter’s work with the Delta Population Health Institute, which focuses on population health and equity, led her to receive one of the first Delta Impact Awards.
Uca.edu states that Carter’s “research focuses on gaps in Arkansas’ entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly among women of color. Carter is intentional about aligning herself with programs and organizations like DPHI because they, like her, are interested in helping the community as a whole.”
“To receive the honor of being the first person awarded the Barbara Ross-Lee Impact in Community Engagement Award is very humbling,” Carter said. “It’s also validating to know that my service to communities for whom I care deeply is appreciated.”
“At the start of the pandemic, when the world was upside down, there was a tremendous health crisis in communities all across the globe, but here in Arkansas, specifically in the delta region where the situation seemed very bleak, I was able to help the Delta Population Health Institute launch a virtual community health summit that led to communities receiving much needed COVID-19 information, funding and other resources,” Carter said.
Carter strives to create the best community around her, saying that “the best thing I or anyone can do for their community is serve.”
Carter is well-known around the UCA campus for her contributions to the community, and her overall glowing energy and happiness.
“For the past 16 years, I have been fortunate to work in outreach and community engagement at UCA,” Carter said. “Needless to say, I’ve had opportunities to work in many aspects of community development including providing technical assistance to mayors, spearheading program initiatives for women and college students, and conducting research that would benefit women of color business owners and entrepreneurs across the state.”
When working in such communities, Carter shared her current goals and what she is looking forward to working on more in the future.
“As an inclusive ecosystem builder, my goals are to advocate for people and communities that have been historically underserved or misrepresented to get an opportunity to have their voices heard, and to raise awareness of the critical need for support in communities,” Carter said.
Carter is always looking for ways to include others in her work with the community, whether it be through students, staff or faculty of UCA.
“I encourage anyone looking to serve in their community to contact us at UCA Outreach to determine how we can work together on projects,” Carter said. “We have a variety of programs and services designed specifically to help individuals connect with the community.”
Carter is hopeful that her work “will inspire others to get involved.”
Dr. Kristy Carter can be reached at [email protected] or at (501) 450-3118.
More information about UCA Outreach and Community Engagement can be found at uca.edu/outreach/.
