Emily Walsh makes history as the first student awarded with the Vincent Jackson Community Champion Award

Emily Walsh is a recent graduate from the USF College of Public Health (COPH) with a BSPH and a double minor in women and gender studies and global studies in diversity and education.

As she continues her education at the COPH as a current MPH student and MCH scholar, she has been honored with the prestigious Vincent Jackson Community Champion Award,
making history as the first student ever to receive the recognition.

Presented by the University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC), this award
celebrates individuals who have made a profound impact on community development.The
award is named in honor of Vincent Jackson, a former NFL wide receiver known for his
philanthropic efforts and community engagement. Jackson, who passed away in 2021 at
the age of 38, was particularly renowned for his work with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
and various charitable causes. The award carries his legacy, recognizing those who
follow in his footsteps by prioritizing community service.

Walsh’s nomination highlighted her consistent and unwavering commitment to community
advocacy.

“They look for someone who has been a steadfast community activist in this community,
and my nominator really rallied for me. I have been here for over four years now,
volunteering,” she said.

Walsh has been involved in a variety of capacities, working to bridge the gap between
the university and the surrounding community.

“I believe serving our population directly is the most effective way to combat negative
health outcomes in our society,” she said. “I want to bring attention to the fact
that people just one zip code over sometimes don’t have the same privileges that we
have on campus.”

Walsh has also actively engaged in a youth health needs assessment project in Hillsborough
County, focusing on youth sexual and reproductive health. This project, which is still
in the data collection phase, involves collaborating with local high school students
to ensure the materials are accessible and relevant to their age group.

During her time as an undergraduate student, she was involved in various leadership
roles and community work, including research in Madagascar under the guidance of Dr. Mahmooda Pasha and engineering professors.

She also designed and implemented a health education program at a local Boys and Girls
Club, where she introduced young children to fundamental concepts of health, including
physical, emotional and environmental health. This program, which catered to children
from ages 5 to 13, helped raise awareness about health equity and introduced kids
to the broader scope of public health beyond just medical care.

The award ceremony took place at the annual UACDC’s Gala, which was held at the TPepin
Hospitality Centre.

Walsh was one of three honorees of the evening, alongside County Commissioner Pat
Kemp and Dr. Christian Wells, professor and director in USF’s Department of Anthroplogy, who is also Walsh’s research
mentor. Each of the awardees was recognized for their work in community advocacy and
their contributions to improving the lives of residents in the university area.

Reflecting on the evening, Walsh described the event as a truly special experience.

“It was absolutely an amazing night,” she shared. “I had never been to an event like
this before, the energy was incredible!”

Walsh was particularly moved by the opportunity to meet Vincent Jackson’s family and
connect with Wells, whose leadership in USF’s community programs has had a significant
impact on the area.

“It was great to be able to connect with him, as he’s someone who’s really involved
in the community through his work with USF.”

Her ongoing work reflects a commitment to understanding and addressing health disparities
in local communities. Whether through engaging youth in research or promoting health
education, Walsh’s efforts aim to create meaningful, long-term impact by raising awareness
and building connections between health professionals and underserved populations.