TN-MMC HBCU Wellness Project
Abbreviated for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), the HBCU Wellness Project is an intervention designed to utilize the human and social capital at Tennessee HBCUs and partnering institutions to promote health and modify risks for chronic diseases among individuals living in the surrounding communities. The primary goal of the HBCU Wellness Project is to leverage educational and service-oriented resources to positively impact the health and well-being of Tennessee residents.
Our Objectives
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Conduct needs assessments for Tennessee communities and campuses
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Enhance the capacity of faculty to integrate service learning into the curricula
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Recruit, train, and guide Student Health Ambassadors to develop health and wellness projects to promote readiness for change
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Assess short and long term outcomes of service-learning activities in under-resourced communities
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Develop and maintain a pipeline of students interested in entering health professions workforce
The HBCU Wellness Project began in 2007.
Our Current Participating HBCUs Include:
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Fisk University
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Knoxville College
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Lane College
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LeMoyne-Owen College
Our Partnering Institutions Include:​
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Austin Peay State University
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Middle Tennessee State University
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Tennessee State University
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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Student Health Ambassadors (SHAs) are exposed to service learning, work with Tennessee health and social service agencies and serve as community change agents. In this role, SHAs positively impact the health and well being of under-resourced Tennessee community residents in culturally sensitive and culturally relevant ways.