Congratulations to Dr. Michelle Kaiser and PhD candidate Ritika Kurup—both received 2025-26 University Outreach and Engagement grants with Kaiser also being selected for the Engaged Scholars Academy. Grants are awarded to support program evaluation and impact reports for community-engaged research or community-engaged projects, in collaboration with a community partner, that addresses a specific need or problem within the community.
Kaiser was awarded a $10,000, the maximum available, 2025-26 University Outreach and Engagement Documenting Impact Grant for her project “Roots of Recovery: Women Healing Through Therapeutic Horticulture and Community Connection.” CSW Assistant Professor Dr. Ran Hu serves as co-investigator, along with Melanie Conover (BSW ‘16, MSW ‘18) of Sanctuary Night and Nick Stanich of Franklinton Farms.
Kaiser is also one of 16 faculty named to the inaugural Engaged Scholars Academy cohort. The academy is a one-year, cohort-based leadership and professional development initiative that supports assistant- and associate professor-ranking faculty in strengthening their engaged scholarship.
“My colleagues and I are grateful to have funding to support efforts to utilize therapeutic horticulture, rooted in ecosocial work, to provide an empowering, nonjudgmental space for healing,”
— Dr. Michelle Kaiser
“We hope to help survivors of exploitation in the sex trade reconnect with themselves, build healthy community, regain their sense of agency, and find physical and emotional healing at Franklinton Farms. I am also honored to be part of the Engaged Scholars Academy so I can continue to grow and learn with others!”
Kurup received the maximum $5,000 2025-26 University Outreach and Engagement Engaged Graduate Student Research Seed Grant for her dissertation study “Role of Power and Autonomy in Place-Based Upward Mobility: A Mixed Methods Study from the Perspective of Community Members.” The study will engage nonprofit partners and community residents to build on the existing literature on upward mobility and develop recommendations for practice.
“I am thrilled to have this investment in and support of my project,” says Kurup. “This funding will be instrumental for data collection and support authentic engagement efforts throughout the research process.”
