Auburn University students with Campus Kitchen prepare meals in their Lumpkin Hall location as part of a student-led effort to serve the community, marking their 15th year of impact in Auburn, Opelika and the surrounding communities.
Campus Kitchen at Auburn University celebrates
Campus Kitchen at Auburn University marks 15 years of turning surplus food into meaningful community impact. What began as a student capstone project has grown into a leading Outreach initiative, preparing more than 1,200 meals each week through partnerships with the Office of Public Service, Auburn Dining, faculty and more than 20 community agencies while supporting both local residents and food-insecure students. Learn more about this student-led community engagement.
Auburn University’s Rural Health Initiative expands access to care across rural Alabama through telehealth, education and community partnerships, addressing health gaps while strengthening local well-being and economic vitality. By pairing telehealth stations like OnMed® with community and student engagement opportunities, the initiative connects innovation with real-world impact.
Auburn University has earned the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, recognizing its sustained commitment to meaningful partnerships that strengthen communities while enriching student learning and advancing its land-grant mission. One of 237 institutions recognized this cycle, Auburn continues to lead in engaged scholarship, outreach and public service.
SOUND (Supporting Outreach and Understanding Neurodiverse Differences), an Auburn University College of Nursing initiative, is expanding its impact through education, outreach and family-centered programming that promotes understanding of sensory processing and inclusive environments. Events like its inaugural Family Day connect families with resources, expert guidance and support.
Auburn University faculty and students from the Harrison College of Pharmacy and the Department of Theatre and Dance are partnering on an interdisciplinary project that uses live performance and discussion to promote vaccine confidence among older adults. Through Mosaic Theatre Company performances and community conversations, the initiative encourages trust and informed decision-making.
Engagement & Community Impact
OPCE hosts leadership conference
Office of Outreach Global is transforming lives through service
YPiT serves as catalyst for transformation
Built by belief: OLLI building project moves forward
“Bartram and Alabama” exhibit follows the trail of Alabama naturalist
COACH Leaps Forward: A strong finish to 2025 and an exciting plan for 2026
LAND faculty collaborate on the future of indigenous earthworks
Years of service
Out and About:
OPCE collaborates with Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education.
Local schools celebrate Seollal through Korea Corner programs
Hands-On Learning in Korean Cuisine 101
Hill elected president of state history organization
Foster honored for service to Alabama Possible
Quansah elected to international board
Merner named among Women Who Shape the State
Moyer presents at national conference
Auburn University’s commitment to service is reflected in milestone achievements across outreach, including the Government and Economic Development Institute’s five decades of impact, Campus Kitchen’s continued fight against hunger and Auburn Youth Programs’ High School Leadership Conference shaping future leaders. Explore how these programs are making a difference.
Beyond Auburn is published by Auburn University twice per year by the Office of the Vice President for University Outreach.
Royrickers Cook, Ph.D.
Vice President for University Outreach and Associate Provost
Publication team:
Auburn Advancement Communications
Kelley Young, writer
Machaira Christopher, writer
Jennifer Fincher, editor
Joyce Thomas-Vinson, writer, editor
Dioselin Cruz, community outreach writer
Janie Echols-Brown, graphic designer, magazine art director
Web team: Outreach Information Technology and CEO Office
Christopher Henry, systems engineer; Karen Rankin, associate director
Contributors and sources:
Auburn Advancement Communications
Hollie Cost, Assistant Vice President for University Outreach and Public Service
Scott Godwin, Harrison College of Pharmacy
Olivia Houlden; Elizabeth Essamuah-Quansah, director, Outreach Global
Savanna Martin, Binita Mahato, College of Liberal Arts
Cassie Montgomery, Truman Pierce Institute, College of Education
Ryan Moss; Anna-Margaret Goldman, director, Center for Educational Outreach and Engagement
Laura Hill, Encyclopedia of Alabama
Cheryl Lumpkin; Scott Bishop, director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Linda Gibson-Young, professor, College of Nursing
Jennifer Ryan; Jeremy Arthur, director, Government & Economic Development Institute
Emery Tschetter, Hope Stockton, assistant vice president for University Outreach and Professional and Continuing Education
Jocelyn Vickers, director, Office of Public Service
Amy Wadsworth Register, Chippewa Thomas, director, Faculty Engagement
Ralph Foster Jr., assistant vice president, emeritus
Additional photography:
AU Photographic Services
Tanisha Stephens, www.intownimagery.com
Nathaly Norman (Faculty Awards Ceremony)
Chipola (©Keith Isaacs (Rural Studio)
Tim Ory, GEDI
Submit news items and story ideas to Joyce Thomas-Vinson,
Beyond Auburn coordinator & Outreach writer, thomaj5@auburn.edu.
For more information, contact Janie Echols-Brown,
Outreach communications & marketing manager, outnews@auburn.edu,
(334) 844-5120 or visit Auburn University Outreach.
Office of the Vice President for University Outreach
202 Samford Hall
Auburn, Alabama 36849
(334) 844-5700
All rights reserved by Auburn University © 2026. Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.
