PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS (February 16, 2022) Waller County remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19. Tiffany Thomas, assistant professor of community development in the Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) School of Architecture, has worked hard to raise the profile and influence of the community development graduate program.
Tiffany D. Thomas | Program Coordinator | Assistant Professor of Community Development
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) awarded Thomas $292,039 to identify reasons Waller County community was vulnerable to COVID-19. Waller County maintains a 38% (fully) vaccination rate, which indirectly and directly impacts recovery efforts, particularly in predominantly Black, Hispanic labor and agricultural communities.
Thomas stated, “I spend a large amount of time pitching how community development and the principles of engagement will enhance research. I was relieved to know our partners agree and have complete confidence in my ability to deliver”.
The focus on Waller County will have a direct impact on PVAMU, which resides in the county. For Magesh Rajan, vice president of PVAMU Division of Research & Innovation, Thomas’ state-funded furthers the university’s commitment to impact communities in diverse ways.
Vice President Rajan said, “Assistant Professor Thomas’ research is so critical and important. With funding from a state agency, her project will pursue answers that could improve getting care and resources to at-risk populations in a rural setting. To gain insight on ‘why’ the COVID-10 vaccination rate has been so low, her findings can change and improve how targeted residents could be better reached and better served in the future.”
Thomas will host a series of community stakeholder engagement meetings to gather direct feedback from residents on why the county vaccination rates are low.
“People in communities are often asked to follow an outside experts’ answers for their community problems. A more powerful way to engage people is to invite communities to address ‘questions’ and find their own answers- with agencies following up to help,” explained Thomas.
The in-person and virtual sessions will be led by community residents and facilitated by the PVAMU engagement team, which will include PVAMU students.
Thomas’s grant will provide two undergraduate and one graduate with hands-on research experience supporting the project.
“It was intentional to include that part of the funding. I envision the positions working closely with me throughout the process,” said Thomas.
The study will provide opportunities for students with interests in research, public health, stakeholder engagement, and community organizing to enhance their skills and possibly catapult their interest in deeply understanding how community development can play a key role.
PVAMU recently achieved the prestigious Carnegie Research 2 (R2) classification, placing PVAMU in the Top 10 for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in regard to research.
“The award is perfect timing and adds depth to our research portfolio at our institution and the role we (PVAMU) can play in partnering with a state agency regarding the health and wellness of our state,” Thomas says of the impact of the funding on the designation. “I hope the success of our outcomes and publishing cements our place as the only HBCU and institution in Texas with a community development graduate program.”
Thomas states, “This grant will expand my research portfolio and expertise. I anticipate leveraging this work to increase publishing opportunities”.
There are few (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) HBCU’s leading this work noted in the current literature in community development. “I believe the possibilities are endless – including more targeted research funding opportunities and collaborations,” said Thomas.
With the launch of the research project, Thomas is most looking forward to “learning and listening more to the residents in Waller County, and understanding their people-driven priorities regarding COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and flu.”
###
Karen B. Cotton