Community First Research Center for Wellbeing and Creative Achievement (CREW)

Building stronger Mississippi communities.

Located at the University of Mississippi, CREW is responsible for spearheading innovative solutions and fostering positive change within communities across the state. As a dynamic research center, CREW plays a role in connecting the needs and dreams of communities with academic expertise. Their commitment to community-first approaches and their dedication to community-driven initiatives have earned them a reputation as a catalyst for sustainable development.

Through community-based participatory research, strategic research planning and expert guidance, CREW and its partners take pride in empowering communities to shape their own future, ensuring solutions are informed by community voices and collective knowledge. 

"If you're trying to solve big problems, you need everyone's voice. We're the bridge between the community and the research data they need." —Dr. Meagen Rosenthal, Director, CREW

How CREW Works

Traditionally, many communities have been left out of conversations and decisions that directly impact their lives. Their valuable perspectives have been overlooked, resulting in solutions that may not effectively address their needs. CREW’s approach in community support values the lived experiences of communities, actively involving them in the decision-making processes that directly affect them. They work collaboratively with communities to understand their needs, develop solutions and implement those solutions. 

CREW adheres to the community-based research principles in all their work.