WED-076 - Classroom to Community: Building Public Health Impact Through Program Evaluation Partnerships

Brief Abstract Summary: Universities play a critical role in bridging academic learning with community needs by fostering partnerships with local nonprofits. This presentation will discuss collaboration between community-based organizations and program evaluation courses. Each semester, students partner with a nonprofit agency and apply the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Program Evaluation Framework in real-world contexts. The course is structured to simulate professional practice, with students meeting stakeholders three times during the semester. This model enhances student learning by integrating theory and practice while offering nonprofits evidence-informed decision making. The University’s experience highlights the value of sustained academic-community partnerships in advancing public health education and strengthening organizational effectiveness. This presentation will also outline how other universities can replicate this model by embedding applied evaluation into curricula.

Detailed abstract description: Universities play a critical role in bridging academic learning with community needs by fostering partnerships with local nonprofits. At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program has established an annual collaboration between community-based organizations and the program evaluation courses (Distance Education and In-Person). Each semester, students partner with a nonprofit agency. After signing an MOU, students begin applying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Program Evaluation Framework in a real-world context. The course is structured to simulate professional evaluation practice. Ideally, students will meet with stakeholders three times over the course of the semester to learn about the program and identify evaluation needs. A midterm progress report allows for feedback and adjustment, ensuring alignment with stakeholder expectations. The semester concludes with a formal presentation and a comprehensive evaluation report, providing community partners with actionable insights to strengthen their programs. This approach not only enhances student learning by integrating theory and practice but also offers tangible benefits to local organizations through capacity-building and evidence-informed decision making. The University’s experience highlights the value of sustained academic-community partnerships in advancing public health education and supporting nonprofit effectiveness. This approach not only enhances student learning by integrating theory and practice but also offers measurable benefits to local organizations through capacity-building and evidence-informed decision making. This presentation will highlight how other universities can replicate this model by establishing similar academic-community partnerships and embedding practical evaluation work into their curricula. Success stories from previous collaborations will be shared to illustrate the meaningful impact on both students and organizations. Attendees will also learn how community partners can initiate potential collaborations with the MPH program. This model underscores the mutual value of sustained, community-engaged learning in advancing public health education and nonprofit effectiveness.