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TOGETHER WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Auburn University Outreach celebrated another year of successful partnerships and programs in the year 2025. From summer camps to research awards, Outreach and its many departments led initiatives grounded in cultivating “the human touch.”
MLK Scholarship Breakfast
In collaboration with the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Outreach kicked off 2025 with the MLK Scholarship Breakfast hosted on Jan. 19 at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center. Constance Hendricks, accomplished leader in nursing and scholar, served as the keynote speaker for the event. Four high school students from Lee County were awarded scholarships to support their post-secondary education, promoting excellence in the next generation of leaders. Learn more about the upcoming Scholarship Breakfast.
Carnegie Partner Luncheon
In February, major community partners of Auburn University were invited to discuss common projects and reflect on the progress of their continued partnerships. Auburn University is classified as a Carnegie Community Engagement university. The Carnegie Foundation awards this classification to institutions who achieve rigorous and extensive community engagement.
GEAR UP Achieve
Students from Southside Preparatory Magnet Academy were invited to the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s Engineering Day to expose students to hands-on engineering activities. This effort helps support GEAR UP Achieve’s mission to “increasing college and career pathway awareness and preparing students for the workforce.” Learn more about GEAR UP Achieve.
Global Community Day Festival
Outreach Global hosted the Global Community Day Festival on April 3 on Cater Lawn. The festival showcased global cultures through music and dance performances, international food tastings and a Parade of Flags.
Local vendors and community organizations connected with festival attendees who were looking to learn about international traditions and participate in new cultural experiences.
Coastal Fisheries Camp
The Office of Professional & Continuing Education’s Auburn Youth Programs (AYP) offers a multitude of summer camps designed to fit student interests. These camps help prepare middle and high school students for future career pathways.
AYP boasts the 5-day coastal fisheries camp held the last week of May at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab campus. This camp exposes students to marine science and its adjacent fields through a series of hands-on academic activities in labs and on the field. Registration for this camp and others is open now at Auburn University Youth Programs.
GlobalConnect Camp
Outreach Global hosted the first biennial GlobalConnect Camp from June 23 to 27, inviting middle and high school students to learn more about international affairs, multicultural activities and global citizenship.
Students engaged in many interactive learning activities such as history and geography classes, language learning lessons, hands-on engineering and health science activities, cooking lessons, arts and crafts activities and global affairs presentations. Learn more about Outreach Global and upcoming opportunities.
GEDI Intensive Economic Development Course
University Outreach’s Government and Economic Development Institute (GEDI) hosted the internationally accredited Intensive Economic Development Course from July 14 to 18. Professionals from Alabama and across the South engaged in several presentations, talks, and activated led by seasoned industry professionals, city officials and other experts in economic development.
The course is held biannually and offers people of all stages in their career the opportunity to grow as professionals and help their respective communities grow. Registration for the July and September 2026 classes is now open at GEDI Intensive.
Outreach and Engaged Scholarship Symposium
From Aug. 27 to 28, scholars gathered at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center to showcase their outreach and research, showing its impact on local and global communities.
Three graduate students were recognized for exemplary research posters, and Portia Johnson, Ph.D., was awarded the honorable Dr. Royrickers Cook Endowed Engagement Award for demonstrating an “ongoing and purposeful commitment to implementing outreach.”
Johnson is an assistant professor and Extension specialist at Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences. She was recognized for creating the Alabama FAST (FAFSA Application Survival Toolkit) program designed to help students and their families navigate financial aid planning to maximize success in higher education. Learn more about Faculty Engagement and Encyclopedia of Alabama.
Tiger Giving Day
In September 2025, University Outreach participated in Tiger Giving Day, an online fundraising campaign for Auburn University’s best service projects and community programs.
University Outreach’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) raised $10,100 to help graduate students teach courses to life-long learners. The Campus Kitchen, the Office of Public Service’s student-led organization, raised $19,834 to purchase kitchen materials necessary for fighting food insecurity.
The Rural Health Initiative (RHI) raised $17,220 to fund medical supplies and student travel to rural communities in critical need for healthcare services and resources.
The Center for Educational Outreach & Engagement’s Young Professionals in Training (YPiT) program collected $4,580 to provide extracurricular learning experiences for students grades 5-12.
All in All Pink
In honor of breast cancer awareness month, The Office of Public Service (OPS) hosted All in All Pink to honor breast cancer survivors. The AU Gospel Choir and the Mosaic Theatre organized special performances to celebrate survivors and advocate for awareness.
Survivors also shared their personal stories, and guests were invited to partake in free on-site health screenings. This annual Outreach event is dedicated to uplifting survivors and friends and family personally affected by breast cancer.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Outreach
On November 18, the Faculty Awards Ceremony was held to boost the achievements of 15 remarkable educators. University Outreach awarded the Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach to Leanne Dillard, Ph.D.
Dillard, associate professor for the College of Agriculture and Alabama Cooperative Extension System forage specialist, was recognized for her research and outreach contributions to forage agronomy. Her efforts have helped farmers optimize agricultural practices by reducing labor costs and maximizing production. Learn more about the award and how to nominate faculty who make a real difference.
End of Year Celebration
University Outreach hosted its annual End of Year Celebration on December 12 to celebrate another great year of successful programs and partnerships. Outreach staff and affiliated faculty and community partners were invited to join in community and uplift Outreach achievements.
One participant shared her appreciation for how Outreach has continued to “strengthen the bridge between research, service and community impact.” Moving forward into 2026, University Outreach is dedicated to maintaining their commitment to serving as a “catalyst for innovation, engagement and positive change…”
-story submitted by Dioselin Cruz, community outreach writer
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