Amanda Hall Named Director of Community-Engaged Research and Special Projects
A recognized community-engaged educator and scholar, Hall will serve VCU in the Center for Community Engagement and Impact
By Jenny Pedraza
Amanda Hall, Ph.D., has been named the director of community-engaged research and special projects for the Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Community Engagement and Impact (CEI).
In this position, Hall will work in partnership to align community-engaged research processes within and across VCU’s schools and departments; develop high-quality community-engaged pathways and professional learning for faculty, students, and community partners; and provide institution-wide support for best practices in community-engaged teaching, learning, and research through a lens of collaboration, reciprocity, inclusivity, and equity.
“CEI is well-positioned to lead the university in continuing to be a national model for community engagement and regional impact,” said Heidi Crapol, CEI executive director. “We have the opportunity, through true collaboration and reciprocity, to help shape the future of what it means to be an exemplary model of community engagement, especially as a leader in community-engaged research, and I am happy to have Amanda’s expertise on our team.”
With more than a decade of community engagement and service-learning experience — first as a local middle school science teacher — Hall is a recognized community-engaged educator and scholar. She previously held positions within the VCU School of Education; the former VCU Division of Community Engagement; the VCU Da Vinci Center; and VCU Honors College, in addition to several other former and current national and international leadership, teaching, and research roles at VCU, within the community, and across K-12 school systems.
Hall received a doctorate in education from VCU; a master’s degree in environmental education from NOVA Southeastern University; and a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from VCU.
“As a community-engaged scholar and longtime Richmond resident, Dr. Hall brings a great depth and breadth of knowledge to this new role,” said Lynn Pelco, associate vice provost for community engagement. “She has been an integral part of the VCU Service-Learning Office for the past few years and has been instrumental in creating and launching innovative new initiatives at the local and national levels. She has a great talent for collaborating across disciplines and for including diverse voices in the decision-making process.”
Hall said she is excited as a professional in the field of community engagement to use her experiences as a faculty member, community partner, stakeholder, advocate and scholar to further the mission of the university while welcoming the challenge of taking CEI to the next level.
“In alignment with VCU’s Quest 2025 Strategic Plan, I see this position as one that will promote a research agenda for the university that is centered around research with communities for the betterment of society, instead of research on communities for the betterment of science,” Hall said. “We have an opportunity, in this moment, to put into practice our mission of leveraging the lived experiences and expertise of our faculty, students, and communities to truly transform the human condition. I am eager to lean in and embrace the challenges and triumphs together.”
For more information on community-engaged research, contact Hall at hallaf2@vcu.edu.
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