Emory University | New Routes | Using local media made by immigrants to improve the health of immigrants

Emory University

The Office of University-Community Partnerships (OUCP) of Emory University is the centralized resource for integrating Emory's core teaching and research endeavors with service that benefits metro Atlanta and beyond. With a professional staff of nine and a roster of at least a dozen faculty affiliates across Kenneth Cole Fellows with Hussien Mohamed Emory’s nine schools, the OUCP works to create an integrated, sustainable continuum of academic engagement that begins with volunteerism, moves through experiential and service learning, advances to internships, deepens with research partnerships, and culminates with comprehensive multidisciplinary minor and certificate programs. The OUCP both initiates multidisciplinary community-benefiting projects like HEARMe, and also supports initiatives launched by other divisions and departments. Such support might include funding, faculty professional development, student training, technical assistance with research or implementation strategies, and the like.

HEARMe! Is an important next step in the OUCP’s and Emory’s efforts to meet the needs of the growing refugee and immigrant populations in metro Atlanta. Having assisted Sagal Radio with filing for incorporation under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service tax code and with establishing a board of directors and bylaws, the OUCP now is supporting Sagal Radio with diversifying its programming and formalizing its operations. The OUCP also is excited to be partnering with WRFG 89.3FM in this new phase of its organizational growth. Together, the three organizations are forging new routes to health and well being for new Americans and longtime citizens of metro Atlanta.

Emory OUCP’s team for HEARMe:

sam engle photo Sam Marie Engle is senior associate director of the OUCP, HEARMe project director, and a proud Emory alumna. With 20 years of community building experience, she has focused especially on developing opportunities and leveraging communications media to engage community members in debate and action on an array of issues affecting quality of life. She is active with numerous community leadership programs, boards, and commissions. She holds graduate degrees in urban studies and nonprofit administration from Georgia State University and in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Florida.

picture of Susan Browne Susan Browne is office manager for the OUCP and has been with Emory for twenty years. Not only is she president of the Sagal Radio board of directors, she also is leveraging her experience in documentary filmmaking for community-based initiatives to capture critical moments in the evolution of HEARMe. Susan’s recent project, a 30-minute video "Circle of Hope," explores the Emory Grady Nia Project, a CDC-funded intervention and research program for abused African-American women. The video was screened at the 2007 American Psychological Association’s convention and will be part of the intervention curriculum for the Nia women. Susan holds undergraduate degrees in psychology from Tulane University and women’s studies from the University of Utah. She is completing her Master of Arts in Communication, Film/Video/Digital Production at Georgia State University.