New ASU assistant professor to explore policy, social identities

August 30, 2022

This fall, Kenicia Wright joins Arizona State University as a new assistant professor in the School of Politics and Global Studies (SPGS).

“The vision outlined in the charter couldn't have been a better fit for my personal aims and goals,” said Wright. “These factors, as well as my ability to contribute to such rich diversity and passion for excellence and innovation made joining ASU the clear choice for me.” Portrait of ASU Assistant Professor Kenicia Wright. Kenicia Wright's research focuses on public policy and social identities in American politics. Download Full Image

Wright comes to ASU from the University of Central Florida, where she was an assistant professor. She received her PhD in political science from the University of Houston. Her research focuses on public policy and social identities in American politics.

"We are so excited that Dr. Kenicia Wright has joined SPGS. Dr. Wright is a fantastic scholar whose work is receiving national recognition. And the addition of Dr. Wright to our faculty fortifies our already impressive strength in race/ethnicity and politics,” said Magda Hinojosa, SPGS director and professor.

This fall, Wright will be teaching a political science course on public opinion. In the future, she hopes to teach courses related to social identities — race/ethnicity, gender, class, etc. — and intersectionality.

She spoke with ASU News about why she came to ASU and what she hopes to accomplish while at the university.

Question: What is the focus for your area of research, and why did you choose that field?

Answer: My research interests include exploring the effects of social identities on the policymaking process. I often apply intersectionality to study the overlapping effects of multiple social identities on policy preferences, policy implementation and policy outcomes related to health care policy and education policy. I find it important to develop research that contributes to our understanding of pressing issues and highlights the potential relevance of highly rigorous research for everyday life.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in your role as an assistant professor in the School of Politics and Global Studies?

A: Being able to learn and interact with students and the ASU community! I am a first-generation college student, so I am eager to be able to learn more about the interests, goals and experiences of ASU students, as well as the history of ASU and the surrounding communities. I've recently started studying questions related to Latina/o/e/x Americans, so I'm starting to develop that research and connect with the extensive body of ASU scholars with interests in related areas.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish as you work at the university?

A: I have two major goals that I hope to be able to accomplish: to continue developing research that centers on important and timely topics of groups that are traditionally under-studied in academic work, and to contribute to the growth and success of students in the School of Politics and Global Studies, as well as ASU students more generally.

Matt Oxford

Assistant Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications, College of Global Futures

480-727-9901 moxford@asu.edu

ASU center wins national interprofessional collaboration award

The team from CAIPER pose for a group photo in front of a stage after accepting a national award.

The team from Arizona State University's Center for Advancing Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research (CAIPER) was recognized earlier this month for its excellent work. CAIPER provides evidence-based strategies, training and education to increase understanding of team collaboration and its impact on health care.The team received the 2022 George E. Thibault, MD Nexus Award in front of th...

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ASU center wins national interprofessional collaboration award

August 30, 2022

The team received the 2022 George E. Thibault, MD Nexus Award in front of their peers and national colleagues at the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education’s annual Nexus Summit on Aug. 20. The team from CAIPER pose for a group photo in front of a stage after accepting a national award. The team from ASU CAIPER poses with the current and past directors of the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. From left: Jody Thompson; Nina Karamehmedovic; Yvonne Price; CAIPER Director Barret Michalec; Kaitlyn N. Félix; Barbara F. Brandt, founding director of the National Center; National Center Director Christine Arenson; and Gerri Lamb, founding director of CAIPER. Photo courtesy of the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Download Full Image

The award celebrates “exemplary interprofessional collaboration in the United States and those who are thinking and acting differently where practice and education connect in health systems.” It’s given annually and was initiated in 2016.

CAIPER Director and Associate Professor Barret Michalec was ecstatic to learn the team was selected for this prestigious award.

“This is the award in our field, so it’s a testament to our focus, our drive and our innovative approach to interprofessional education, research and practice. We couldn’t be more honored, and I couldn’t be more excited for our team,” he said.

It’s also a full-circle moment for CAIPER, which was established in 2015 with the help of the award’s namesake and the National Center. At the time, Thibault was the president of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, which awards grants to organizations “working to improve the health of the public through innovative projects that advance the education and training of health professionals.”

Gerri Lamb, CAIPER’s founding director who now serves in an advisory role, says that Thibault came to ASU early on to meet with university leadership and help champion the center.

“Dr. Thibault and the National Center were instrumental in the development of CAIPER. Both had a major presence during our startup and while we were thinking about what the center would look like, how it would be innovative and how it would contribute to what was happening at the time with interprofessional education and practice,” said Lamb, adding, “It’s extraordinary to receive this award that reflects Dr. Thibault’s legacy and also celebrates the 10th anniversary of National Center this year.”

To date, CAIPER has received more than $2.9 million in research funding and grants to support initiatives in interprofessional practice and education.

Close-up of the 2022 George E. Thibault, MD Nexus Award, awarded to ASU's Center for Advancing Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research.

The CAIPER team received the 2022 George E. Thibault, MD Nexus Award in front of their peers and national colleagues at the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education’s annual Nexus Summit on Aug. 20. Photo courtesy the National Center

Over the last seven years, the center has issued more than 40,000 certificates to learners worldwide for completing CAIPER eLearning courses and materials.

Today, CAIPER’s work focuses on advancing the science of interprofessionalism and team-based health care through research, though its efforts don’t stop there. The team then takes that science and translates it into training and education for health and social care professionals, faculty, students and industry leaders.

“This is a team that is passionate about developing and delivering the highest quality interprofessional learning solutions. It’s wonderful to see them earn this national recognition for their consistent contributions to transforming health education and health care,” said Edson College Dean Judith Karshmer.

Even now, CAIPER continues to evolve. Recently, the center unified with SHOW, the Student Health Outreach for Wellness, to advance the education-to-practice pathway.

CAIPER has also developed the Learning Solutions Consulting initiative to work with national and international partners to fully integrate CAIPER’s eLearning programs into existing interprofessional programs and curricula.

In addition, given the growing interest among students and faculty in CAIPER’s research efforts, this fall, CAIPER will launch the BhEAT Lab (Belongingness, Humility, Equity, Affect and Teamness).

All of this work is aligned with the ultimate goal of transforming health care locally, nationally and globally in order to optimize the health of individuals, families, communities and populations.