10 faculty selected as Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars

A group photo of 15 faculty members standing together and posing for a photo outside in front of a brick wall with trees behind them. — Since 2007, 83 faculty members have been selected as Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars. (Carolina Center for Public Service)

The Carolina Center for Public Service has selected 10 faculty members as the 2023-25 class of Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars. The program brings together selected faculty from across campus to advance research in partnership with communities to address issues of shared concern and mutual benefit.

Scholars receive up to $10,000 in funding over a two-year period and participate in sessions in community settings to learn from other Carolina faculty and their community partners. While developing individual projects, each class of scholars shares lessons learned and builds connections to strengthen their scholarship.

The growing network of Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars has forged interdisciplinary collaborations, submitted successful grant applications and developed traditional and innovative products of scholarship. Since 2007, 83 faculty members have been selected for the program, with representatives from all Carolina’s professional schools and the College of Arts and Sciences.

“After spending time with these 10 outstanding scholars, I am inspired by their passion for the work and the variety of their plans. It is impressive to see interdisciplinary connections and collaboration in action,” said CCPS director and faculty member Lynn Blanchard.

Here is the latest class of Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars:

College of Arts and Sciences

Anna Bardone-Cone, professor, psychology and neuroscience department.
Sarah Crittendon Fuller, research associate professor, public policy department.
Hilary Lithgow, teaching assistant professor and undergraduate adviser, English and comparative literature department.
Karin Pfennig, professor, biology department.
Avi Santo, professor and chair, communication department.

Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Ronny Bell, professor and chair, pharmaceutical outcomes and policy division.

Gillings School of Global Public Health

Dr. Marie Lina Excellent, assistant professor and global health certificate lead, public health leadership program.
Jennifer Lund, associate professor, epidemiology department, and director of data strategy and education, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Information and Population Health Resource.