Southern's CARE Program 1 Of Only 5 To Receive Excellence in Community-Engaged Partnerships Award

NEW HAVEN, CT—The Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE), based at Southern Connecticut State University, has been selected as one of five recipients of Campus Compact’s 2026 Excellence in Community-Engaged Partnerships Awards.

This national award recognizes outstanding programs and initiatives that demonstrate meaningful partnerships with communities to address complex social issues and further equity, justice, and prosperity for all. CARE will receive the award during Compact26, Campus Compact’s annual national conference, March 16–18, 2026, in Chicago.

“It is incredibly meaningful to see CARE’s work recognized at the national level," said Alycia Santilli, senior director of community initiatives. "We have diligently worked to build trusted partnerships within New Haven and beyond, collaborating on initiatives that are driven by community priorities."

Based at SCSU’s College of Health and Human Services in partnership with the Yale School of Public Health and the New Haven community, CARE is a community-engaged center dedicated to advancing health equity in New Haven. It works to improve health among residents most affected by inequities—particularly Black and Brown communities and low-income populations.

"CARE, as an organization, predates me, dating back to its establishment in 2007," said Ayeisha Cole, CARE director. “The primary focus then was a health equity approach to addressing health disparities and challenges that significantly impact minority groups and low-income communities. I am happy that this mission remains the same today, and we are standing firm in this adjusted climate. The CARE team includes our SCSU and Yale staff, but we must highlight the support we receive from New Haven residents, change-makers, leaders, and community consultants. We are collectively being recognized, which is why CARE stands out and we as a community are well-deserving."

Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities that supports, engages, and challenges higher education to realize its public purpose. Campus Compact empowers colleges and universities to advance their academic and civic missions by partnering with communities to address complex social issues and "further equity, justice, and prosperity for all," a news release reads.

"For nearly two decades, CARE has exemplified exceptional dedication to advancing the health and well-being of our community," New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker wrote in a letter supporting the partnership’s nomination for the award.

'These partnerships represent the importance of community and academic collaboration — as we strive toward a goal of improving the lives of all residents of New Haven," Elicker said, adding, "Particularly those who are most impacted by inequalities.”

Founded in 1985, Campus Compact is the nation’s largest and oldest national association solely dedicated to advancing the civic and community engagement mission of higher education. Its members make up a force of thousands of presidents, faculty, researchers, students, and civic and community engagement experts.

Campus Compact envisions colleges and universities as vital agents and architects of a diverse democracy, committed to educating students for responsible citizenship in ways that both deepen their education and improve the quality of community life. The organization challenges all of higher education to make civic and community engagement an institutional priority.

Learn more at compact.org.

"What a powerful recognition this award is of everything CARE does best," said SCSU Interim President Sandy Bulmer. "Southern has been so proud to be the home of this exceptional health equity-focused center for the past nine years, while CARE has successfully built out its health leadership programs and chronic disease prevention programs through partnerships at the local level. CARE and Southern share a mission of community engagement. I applaud the CARE leadership and staff for the incredibly impactful work they are doing to reduce health disparities in the Greater New Haven area and beyond, and I congratulate them on this national honor.”