A PhD student at Arizona State University who studies how nonprofits can collaborate to improve people’s health is literally taking his expertise to the field.

Rodney Machokoto, a doctoral student in the School of Community Resources and Development, is working in two community gardens to help people learn how to grow and distribute nutritious food.

“My PhD focuses on how nonprofits can work together to transform health, and part of what I’m studying is trying to do something practical,” he said.

• Read more about ASU student shares gardening, financial expertise at urban farms

In a year that has put a glaring spotlight on America's long and troubled history with systemic racism and social injustice, ASU President Michael Crow announced a commitment in fall 2020 to contribute to a national agenda for equity, diversity and inclusion and accelerate meaningful change throughout the ASU community. 

• Read more about The LIFT Conversations: Advancing pathways for ASU's Black community

Municipal parks and youth sports programs are gradually reopening as restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to ease. Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, many users have discovered local, regional and national parks as a safe outdoor alternative to closed indoor public spaces.

• Read more about Parks proved their value during pandemic; their worth should continue to grow, parks and recreation pros say

A partnership between Arizona State University and the Tempe Police Department has yielded a curriculum designed to help officers keep contacts with the public peaceful and productive — and a Team Award from the department acknowledging the important collaboration.

• Read more about Tempe police honor ASU team, police employees for creating de-escalation curriculum

George Floyd, the man whose death in police custody launched a thousand protests in 2020, has reignited a critical conversation about systemic racism and social injustice around the world. In 2021, almost one year after Floyd’s death, change is starting to happen.

• Read more about Students elevating Black cultural awareness through LIFT initiative at ASU

For a second year in row, ASU’s Social Embeddedness Network Conference was held virtually. But the Zoom-based conference was bigger, better, with more participants than years past, proving community-university partnerships can thrive in an array of settings.

• Read more about ASU's Social Embeddedness Network Conference has record turnout in virtual format

The good news, of course, is that more and more Arizonans are receiving COVID-19 vaccines, with tens of thousands getting vaccinated in parking lots at large sports stadiums. But the daily challenge is to organize hundreds of supervisors and volunteers to help get that lifesaving medicine from dozens of boxes of vials and into the arms of so many lining up in all those vehicles.

• Read more about Watts College students, alumni tackle the COVID-19 pandemic on the front lines at vaccination sites

Arizona State University’s commitment to the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves is embedded in its charter.

As part of that commitment, ASU President Michael Crow has named Jonathan Koppell to the newly created position of vice provost for public service and social impact. Koppell will remain dean of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

• Read more about Koppell to amplify ASU's socially embedded initiatives in new role

Book authorship among tenured faculty members is a regular byproduct of their research and scholarship. It’s rarer, although not unheard of, that nontenured instructors are also writing books about topics in their fields.

• Read more about Book designed to help therapists serve cancer patients, survivors better

The COVID-19 pandemic has been hardest on the most vulnerable people, and Arizona State University students have been working to help one group in downtown Phoenix.

Residents at the Westward Ho apartments – low-income older adults and those with disabilities – have faced extra burdens over the past year. A population that was already susceptible to loneliness was further isolated when they couldn’t see friends and family in person. They were unable to access services in their building, like the computer room, which was closed. Some residents didn’t always have enough to eat.

• Read more about ASU students support Westward Ho residents during pandemic isolation