The Center for the Advancement of Community Health and Wellness is an interdisciplinary center directed by Dr. Kimberly Murphy and the program manager, Alyssa Klauer. Founded in 2022, the center strengthens campus and community well-being through applied student research, internships, community service and other experiential learning opportunities.
The center’s focus aligns with the six dimensions of wellness developed by Dr. Bill Hettler of the University of Wisconsin. These are occupational, physical, social, intellectual, spiritual and emotional. The center's mission connects broadly with Augustana's curricular and co-curricular programs.
The center's inaugural project was a partnership with Augustana's Upper Mississippi Center for Sustainable Communities and the city of Rock Island to identify and inventory lead water service lines in the city. That project included student research assistants and more than 100 student volunteers who engaged in canvassing events.
Dr. Murphy explained that the water line inventory project was “very much an interdisciplinary project, bringing together students and faculty from all majors — with different skill sets and perspectives — to help tackle a real-life problem close to campus.”
Other projects led by the Center for the Advancement of Community Health and Wellness have included movement classes for older adults, a maternal health survey and contributing resources to and designing programs for a Rock Island community resource center.
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Real impact, powered by students
Augustana’s Center for the Advancement of Community Health and Wellness strengthens campus and community well-being. Learn about three partnerships focused on cleaner water, maternal health and personal wellness.
Augustana partners with local organizations to improve maternal care
Augustana's Center for the Advancement of Community Health and Wellness (CACHW) is partnering with Community Health Care (CHC), Iowa Black Doula Collective, and Akwaaba QC to improve maternal care in the region.
Older adults find community, student finds new calling
It started as a simple partnership: Augustana students leading an exercise program for older adults at the Moline Activity Center. But what happened came as a surprise. Discover the unexpected twist in this feel-good, life-changing collaboration.
Augustana surveying women on maternal health care in the Quad Cities
Augustana's Center for the Advancement of Community Health and Wellness is partnering with the Healthy Pregnancy Coalition and the Healthy Outcomes Planning Task Force on Low Birth Weight to better understand maternal health experiences and outcomes for women in the Quad Cities.
Augustana students lead fitness program for older adults
Augustana student instructors lead the low-impact course at the Moline Activity Center.
Augustana officials, students canvas neighborhoods for lead drinking water pipes survey
Student research assistants were joined by President Andrea Talentino and Dr. Dianna Shandy for a morning of knocking on doors in Rock Island to encourage residents to report the material of their water service lines.