The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (WRI) at Rutgers University–Camden has been recognized with the Public Good Pinnacle Award by the Committee to Advance Our Common Purposes (CACP). This award acknowledges WRI’s continued dedication to South Jersey communities by fostering impactful community-facing research.
The Public Good Pinnacle Award is given to organizations and initiatives that demonstrate exceptional commitment to public service through collaborative efforts with community organizations, partners, and individuals. Founded in 2000, WRI is integral to the mission of Rutgers-Camden, conducting community-based research and convening stakeholders around that research in support of Camden City and Southern New Jersey communities.
WRI also works closely with faculty to connect their multidisciplinary expertise to regional problems, develops research and professional skills in students, and links the resources of higher education to communities in Southern New Jersey.
"We are deeply honored to receive the Public Good Pinnacle Award, which reflects the work of our amazing staff, our impactful research collaborations with partners across the region, and our commitment to engaging students in research that supports South Jersey," shared Mavis Asiedu-Frimpong, director of WRI. “We remain dedicated to bringing critical research to the forefront and bringing stakeholders together to address critical social issues in South Jersey."
WRI will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, and with the recent release of its strategic plan, will continue to build upon the work that the Public Good Pinnacle Award represents. Over the next five years, WRI will be enhancing its community-facing research initiatives to support sound policy and practice, expanding its reach even further across South Jersey, and establishing exciting new opportunities for students and faculty to engage in real-world research projects that support the region.
“The kind of research that WRI provides, where the voices and concerns of community members are highlighted and amplified, is key to legislative decision-making that addresses community needs, especially for underrepresented and underserved populations in South Jersey,” shared Michael Egenton, Executive Vice President, New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the WRI Advisory Board. “WRI exemplifies all the tenets of the Public Good Pinnacle Award.”
The Public Good Pinnacle Award is just one of several accolades given by the CACP in recognition of outstanding work to promote diversity, inclusion, and community engagement across Rutgers. WRI joins a distinguished list of honorees, including the School of Nursing–Camden, the Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement (DICE) at Rutgers–Camden, and other individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions.
