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

An Arizona State University alumna has been on a decades-long mission to provide housing for people with autism, and her collaboration with ASU on a new research report will make it easier to address the crisis.

• Read more about ASU alum on mission to create communities for adults with autism

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2020 graduates.

Arizona State University PhD graduate Charlene Poola’s hard work and dedication toward enhancing the lives of Native peoples won her recognition from the internationally recognized Heard Museum, which focuses on American Indian art.

• Read more about Eagle Spirit Award recipient honored for hard work, dedication toward enhancing lives of Indigenous peoples

Arizona State University is conducting coronavirus testing for a vulnerable population — those who work with people experiencing homelessness — with help from a $45,000 grant from the BHHS Legacy Foundation.

The testing is funded as a result of the generous support of the BHHS Legacy Foundation, an Arizona charitable organization whose philanthropic mission is to enhance the quality of life and health of those it serves.

• Read more about Grant funds coronavirus testing for those working closely with individuals experiencing homelessness

• Read more about Grad to build on background working with those experiencing homelessness with degree in emergency management

Two professors in ASU’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions have received another grant to study homicide among intimate partners in two more states.

• Read more about 2 Watts College professors receive another grant to study homicide among intimate partners

• Read more about ASU researchers examine risk factors in Arizona intimate-partner homicides

Seven faculty members at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions received promotions for the 2020-2021 academic year. The college now has two new full professors, two new associate professors and three new senior lecturers.

Professors Jill Messing and Dustin Pardini were promoted from associate professor. Associate Professors Christopher Hayter and Justin Stritch were promoted from assistant professor and were granted tenure. Senior lecturers Cora Bruno, Katherine Crowley and Chandra Crudup were promoted from lecturer

• Read more about Watts College promotes 2 to full professor, 2 to associate professor, 3 to senior lecturer

Two faculty members at ASU’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions will use a new $1.3 million grant to study killings of one intimate partner by another to learn more about the factors that might increase the risk of these tragedies.

• Read more about Watts College professors awarded $1.3 million grant to study possible factors leading to intimate-partner homicide

• Read more about Expert in Christian ethics to teach course on pandemic, social change