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Dr. Christian Wells, a professor in the Department of Anthropology, earned the for his eight years of impactful community work. According to the UACDC, these awards recognize and honor the vital role and commitment of community partners to transform the university area into a community-engaged 鈥渋nnovation district.鈥�

Wells said he believes 鈥渁 thriving university requires a thriving surrounding community,鈥� and he has focused his research endeavors on building those crucial connections and fostering growth in the university area.

Wells began his service as the director of USF鈥檚 Office of Sustainability, where he collaborated with faculty and students from various disciplines to build partnerships with community-based organizations and improve the quality of life across the Tampa Bay region. Through this work, he recognized a significant need for these resources in the University Area Community.

鈥淲hat was so surprising to me was how close the community is to USF, yet its residents receive few benefits living next to a world-class university,鈥� Wells explained.

UACDC is a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership whose mission is children and family development, crime prevention and commerce growth. Located within walking distance from the USF Tampa campus, its primary focus is the redevelopment and sustainability of the at-risk areas surrounding the Tampa campus.

鈥淭his doesn鈥檛 have to be the case. Faculty and students can bridge the 鈥榯own and gown鈥� divide and share their expertise, time, and resources to build capacity for positive change,鈥� Wells added.

From there, Wells rolled up his sleeves and went to work alongside his colleagues and students, who dedicated their efforts to improving the quality of life for university area residents.

In 2019, Wells helped spearhead the development of Harvest Hope Park, which ultimately led to other positive changes in the area including much-needed critical infrastructure, improving properties and more investments toward the community.

Recently, Wells and his team have concentrated on improving water quality throughout the community, addressing both residents鈥� drinking water and outdoor spaces. They are working to clean polluted stormwater ponds, making these areas safer and more enjoyable, while also tackling drinking water issues to ensure safer, more reliable access for residents.

This work doesn鈥檛 detract from Wells鈥� role as a professor 鈥� in fact, he actively involves his students in this meaningful, hands-on work.

鈥淟earning by doing is my teaching philosophy, and all my USF courses involve community-engaged work,鈥� Wells said. 
鈥淗aving students front and center in community advocacy efforts is critical to their education as engaged citizens. And what is especially rewarding for me is when I see students continuing their own advocacy for the community long after the class has ended.鈥�

鈥淒r. Wells is the reason I鈥檓 in graduate school at USF,鈥� said Serena Echols, a graduate student in applied anthropology.  鈥淗is love for environmental anthropology through community engagement empowers us to share experiences to improve human and environmental health conditions. I appreciate his dedication to his students as he always supports my academic endeavors and shares opportunities to expand my passion and research for environmental justice.鈥�

For Wells, the honor is as much a recognition of his students鈥� work as his own, as they have partnered with him over the years to create a stronger, more resilient University Area Community.

As Wells reminds his students, 鈥楾here鈥檚 a difference between optimism and hope. Optimism waits; hope rolls up its sleeves.鈥� He believes that now, more than ever, students must be hopeful鈥攖aking meaningful action to create change.

Learn more about ways to with the University Area Community Development Corporation.