Research Leadership Academy Celebration

The Research Leadership Academy (RLA) is a 6-part course for community leaders and organizations to deepen their capacity to design and conduct research, partner with academics, and act on research as a transformative component of addressing local health priorities. This training course was developed by our partner Community Campus Partnerships for Health.

The RLA provided eight participants from the North Carolina Community Engagement Alliance (NC CEAL) Coalition six sessions facilitated by content experts, study hall sessions to ask questions, and peer learning opportunities to reflect back on what they have learned in the sessions.

The PRIME Collective, led by Melvin Jackson, Mysha Wynn, and Alexandra Lightfoot, facilitated our sixth and final session at the UNC Chapel Hill Friday Center on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 10am – 3pm. Participants engaged in a community building activity and mini charrette that leverages the expertise of community experts and facilitates a process to problem-solve challenges and brainstorm solutions.

Next steps include a final study hall with the PRIME Collective to further discuss concepts presented at the Friday Center, and a seed grant opportunity to provide partial financial support toward an idea for a project participants would like to implement. 

“NC CEAL was my first grant. They trust in the work that we do, and sometimes the only thing that you need is that opportunity . . . when you get those first people who trust you it’s a big thing, you know, because from there you know you’re not crazy, you know, you have more dreamers that trust in what you’re doing so that was a very powerful moment.”

Quote from a Participant

Highlights from Paul Kuttner, CCPH Director of Partnerships 

“The Research Leadership Academy was a truly collaborative process. I think one of the reasons the course was so successful is that it was co-designed by NC CEAL Coalition members themselves alongside researchers from UNC Chapel Hill. We created the course we needed at this moment in time.”

Highlights from Al Richmond, CCPH Executive Director

“North Carolina has the most amazing community health leaders who lead with passion and commitment on behalf of those who are often overlooked and forgotten. I am looking forward to expanding the RLA training to meet the professional development of community health leaders.”

RLA Graduate Interviews

NC CEAL coalition members who completed the Research Leadership Academy (RLA) in May 2025 were interviewed by Al Richmond, Executive Director of Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH), to reflect on their experience.

Watch their interviews to learn more about the skills they gained, their biggest takeaways, and why they believe RLA is worth your time.

Debra Allen

Ivania Gutierrez

Judith Brown

Sherri Allgood

Theresa Isibor