Dr. Erica Campbell Ph.D, associate professor of social work at Fayetteville State University, was awarded $10,000 from the Council of Social Work Education’s Kendall Institute to integrate simulation-based education into preparing students to assess food insecurity with community assessment models within the classroom.

Campbell will lead a course to increase students’ knowledge of food insecurity in different settings, and guide them through interactive simulations and real-world scenarios related to community assessments and food insecurity. 

The grant will allow students to explore complex scenarios and develop critical thinking, problem-solving and assessment skills to address food insecurity in local and global settings. Food insecurity is influenced by a range of interconnected factors including poverty, access to markets or agricultural infrastructure in the region. 

“There is a need to prepare social work students to understand the complexities of food insecurity locally and globally,” said Campbell in a press release. “Equipping students with the skills and knowledge to effectively assess food insecurity in local and global communities is key to identifying solutions to address food insecurity in our communities.”