The Office of the Vice President for Outreach and Faculty Outreach Award Committee at Penn State University recently recognized and awarded Parents And Children Together (PACT) with an exemplary designation for Community Engagement and Scholarship. The Community Engagement and Scholarship Award recognizes an outstanding Penn State scholarship project or initiative that demonstrates the guiding characteristics of an engaged institution, such as respect for partners and resource partnerships.

In addition, Dr. Kristin Buss was recognized for her exemplary leadership in engaged scholarship for directing PACT from 2007 to 2019. Dr. Buss is the founding director of PACT, and her leadership has helped promote community engagement in the research process at all levels. In particular, Dr. Buss developed and led a community-based participatory research project that is now designing a preventative intervention for children at risk for anxiety during the transition to school.