UVA Division for Community Engagement and Equal Opportunity

Congratulations to our Vice President, Kevin McDonald, who received the 2026 Lincoln Lewis Staff Recognition Award for his work supporting communities across the UVA and the Charlottesville region. The Black Faculty and Staff Employee Resource Group recognized Kevin during a ceremony at Newcomb Hall.

Congratulations, Kevin!

Join UVA Health for the Trauma Survivors Network & The American Trauma Society's 2026 UVA Trauma Program Race to Rebuild Trauma Walk on May 2nd.

This event is more than just a walk/run—it’s an opportunity for our community to come together, honor individuals impacted by trauma, and show that they are supported and not alone.

If you’re planning to attend, join the UVA team and be part of the challenge! It’s a great way to show collective support and help us make an even bigger impact. We also encourage you to spread the word and share the event with your own communities.

If your schedule doesn’t allow you to join in person on May 2nd, you can still participate or contribute by completing your walk at any time during the month.

Register today at https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/FallsChurch/NationalTraumaSurvivorsDayVirtual1MileRunWalk.

Calling all community-engaged UVA faculty and researchers!

The UVA Community Excellence Fellowship is an opportunity to deepen community-engaged scholarship at UVA. Fellows will join a cohort of scholars committed to shared learning, mutual benefit, and producing scholarship that matters—on campus and in community.

We welcome proposals from salaried UVA faculty across ranks, disciplines, and schools (including UVA Wise) who are at any stage in their community engaged journey, whether exploring, emerging, sustaining, or strengthening. Among the cohort of five fellows, at least one fellow early in their community-engaged journey will be selected. We truly welcome all applications.

Learn more and apply today: https://ceeo.virginia.edu/community-excellence-faculty-fellowship

Accepting applications through May 1, 2026 for Academic Year 26-27 fellowships.

The 2026 Southern Pilgrimage, Refounding Legacies, marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, exploring places where everyday people worked to protect and expand our rights and freedoms – since before our nation was founded through the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Over the course of six days, we'll draw lessons from movement birthplaces, former capitals, and major battlegrounds across the "Upper South" states of Tennessee, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Virginia.

The Southern Pilgrimage is a joint program of the Center for Community Partnerships and Monticello’s Getting Word African American Oral History Department at the University of Virginia. This year's trip takes place from June 6, 2026 to June 13, 2026.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! Applications are due by 11:59 pm on April 13th. Submit today at https://seenexperiences.com/southern-pilgrimage-refounding-legacies-2026!

We are so grateful to the community members who attended our 2026 Liberation and Freedom Day Celebration earlier this month.

The event was earnestly by Cauline Yates with the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at the University of Virginia and Carolyn Dillard with our Division, featuring an intentional welcome from Jessica Harris, a dance performance by Veronica Price-Thomas, solos by Pastor Xavier V Jackson, and a moving keynote by Apostle Sarah Kelley.

Following the ceremony at UVA Chapel, attendees enjoyed a group lunch at the Rotunda before joining a tour of the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers.

Subscribe to our newsletter to learn about future events!
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In an event co-sponsored by UVA’s Tribal Liaison Kody Grant, UVA’s Native and Indigenous Relations Committee, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Outreach, representatives from the seven federal recognized Tribal Nations across Virginia will come together for a panel discussing Indigenous culture and education, how policy impacts Indigenous communities, environmental impacts on Native lands, and key figures within these communities.

Join us on March 14th, from 1:30-3:00pm in the Albert and Shirley Small Auditorium, where refreshments will be provided.

Register here: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/nativevoices

Thank you to all who joined us for our annual Black History Month Gospel Concert featuring Chandler D Moore, Madison Ryann Ward, and the Black Awakening Choir from Virginia Commonwealth University!

Let us know who you want to see at future concerts here: https://virginia.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bHt5kz5ZIjAXQSG

Stay tuned for more Division of CEEO events!

Help define what vibrant community looks and feels like at UVA.

We’re excited to launch UVA’s Vibrant Community, a new effort from the Division for Community Engagement and Equal Opportunity that pairs institutional data with personal experiences to tell meaningful stories about engagement, belonging, and wellbeing.

This first phase is all about listening. By sharing your perspective, you’re helping shape future insights that reflect the real experiences of our community.

Add your voice today: https://virginia.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_79tg2NCpT6bnrf0
ogether, we’re building a more connected UVA.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night at The Paramount Theater of Charlottesville for the Community MLK Celebration Keynote Event featuring Dr. Imani Perry. The evening brought together students, faculty, staff, and community members for meaningful reflection and conversation.

The program was emceed by Dr. Larry Rowley and Carolyn Dillard and opened with a beautiful performance by the Charlottesville High School Choir. We are also grateful to Mark C. Jefferson, Assistant Dean for Community Engagement at the University of Virginia School of Law, for his remarks and personal reflections on Dr. Perry’s work and impact. We appreciate all who helped make this night a powerful tribute to Dr. King’s legacy.

Photos by Rob Garland Photographers

Apply Today!

The Community Excellence Student Award is intended to support registered UVA student organizations (CIOs) that seek to contribute to community building and constructive dialogue aligned with the University's mission.

Learn more at https://inclusive.virginia.edu/node/101.

Awards are capped at $3,000 per organization per academic year. Funding must support programs or events that:

- Are open to all
- Include a genuine partnership with another CIO
- Enhance University of Virginia community engagement based on our institutional values: honor, integrity, trust, respect, and/or freedom of expression

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the academic year.

Are you subscribed to the Division of Community Engagement and Equal Opportunity's mailing list? Sign up today for updates on upcoming community-centered programs and events: https://tinyurl.com/uvaceeomailinglist.