Community Engaged Programs

Scholars from multiple academic and diverse disciplines conduct collaborative research projects, interventions, and programs with a particular emphasis on enhancing quality of life for people in underserved communities. Scholarly investigations and intervention programs are conducted in schools, community agencies, out-of-school programs, and neighborhoods in Travis, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, and Bexar counties. The Community Engaged Scholarship Lab (CESL) provides the researchers a physical space to analyze and interpret data, conduct individual or focus group interviews, lead training programs and plan research projects. 

Some of the current CESL research includes investigations in: 

• Social and psychomotor interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder.
• Recreational therapy modalities (e.g., adaptive sports) for individuals with disabilities, 
• Nature studies, and outdoor education programs and activities (e.g., mountain biking, kayaking, etc.) intended to enhance coping skills, motivation, perceived competence and leadership, 
• Recreational activities to address those youth who are “at risk”, 
• Positive youth development (e.g., life skills, self-esteem, self-determined motivation, connection with others) through physical activity and sport, 
• Factors affecting prekindergarten education with an emphasis on early literacy, nutrition, and fine and gross motor skill development, and
• Chronic disease prevention and self-management strategies among individuals living with Prediabetes, Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Gestational Diabetes, which will be examined using individual and focus group interviews.