KU Center for Community Health and Development

Great conversations and valuable learning at the Community Check Box Convening with United Way of the Mid-South. Thank you to everyone who came together to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and advance community impact. We're excited to continue the work together!

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Pearl Avari on her new title of Assistant Research Professor! 🎉
This well‑deserved achievement reflects her dedication, expertise, and commitment to advancing community health and development. We’re excited to see the continued impact of her work in this new role.
Learn more about Pearl and her work: https://communityhealth.ku.edu/people/pearl-avari-phd

Q&A with Interim Director Christina Holt. With thanks to our partners at the KU Life Span Institute.

The Life Span Institute is made up of more than 400 scientists, students, and staff. Get to know us!

This week, we’re highlighting our 6‑question Q&A with Christina Holt, Interim Director at KU Center for Community Health and Development. Her work helps communities tackle big challenges and create lasting improvements in health and well‑being. https://loom.ly/TWmPrrQ

We’re proud to share that Dr. Jomella Watson-Thompson will be a featured panelist for the upcoming Community Health Improvement Week Kickoff Event!
Dr. Watson-Thompson continues to advance innovative, collaborative approaches that strengthen communities and improve health outcomes.
Join this important conversation with national and regional experts as they explore how partnerships can help people live healthier lives.
📅 Monday, June 8
⏰ Noon–1 p.m.
💻 Virtual (Microsoft Teams)
🔗 Register here:ce3732e8-7ad9-49ac-bf11-d939996e0e33@1984aac0-7e83-4a2b-925d-f834a5a9cbd4" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/ce3732e8-7ad9-49ac-bf11-d939996e0e33@1984aac0-7e83-4a2b-925d-f834a5a9cbd4

Our Center and Department of Applied Behavioral Science colleagues enjoyed an afternoon of service celebrating Dr. Vincent Francisco’s career and retirement. Congratulations, Vincent!

🌍☀️☮️ “I am always amazed at how so much of what [Vincent] invented and developed are in common use across community organizations and broader systems, making the world a better place.”
- Dr. Jerry Schultz

📣 We’re hiring!
The KU Center for Community Health and Development is seeking a Research Informatics Analyst to support community health initiatives through data management, information systems, and collaboration with developers—including work that supports and advances the Community Tool Box, a widely used global resource for community change.
Join a collaborative, mission‑driven team and help strengthen tools and data that serve the public good.
🗓️ Application review begins May 19, 2026
👉 Apply online: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?PageType=JobDetails&partnerid=25752&siteid=5541&jobid=5223559 =5223559_5541

What if we could stop problems before they start by fixing the systems that lead to harm? That’s the philosophy driving the work at KU Center for Community Health and Development and the path that led Interim Director Christina Holt to dedicate her career to community health and systems-level change in Kansas and around the world.

She describes the path that got her there during a conversation with United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. Listen: https://loom.ly/lL7Qbrw

We're grateful to David Jordan and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund for hosting the Pioneers in Health podcast series—and for inviting our own Christina Holt to be part of the conversation! Christina shared about the work of our Center, our amazing colleagues, and what gives her hope for the future. Thanks for helping shine a light on public health work in Kansas. ✨

🎙Our latest episode of Pioneers in Health is now available!🎙

In this episode, meet Christina Holt. She was recently named the interim director of the Center for Community Health and Development through KU's Life Span Institute.

She has dedicated her career to helping people change the world.

In this episode, she shares how she went from a pre-med major to discovering a new path that changed her entire career trajectory.

🔊LISTEN NOW:
https://healthfund.org/a/pih-christina-holt/

We’re proud to support WethrYve KC, rooted in community, centered on equity, and focused on making lasting change—together.

➡️ Learn more and show your support by checking out ThYve’s latest update below.

Last spring, WethrYve KC saw its first class of participants graduate college. This week, the next generation is already stepping up — leading community cleanups, food drives, talent shows, and more to reduce youth violence in . Link in comments for more.