Anthropology professor honored for transformative work in University Area Community

Dr. Christian Wells, a professor in the Department of Anthropology, earned the University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) Advocate Award for his eight years of impactful community work. According to the UACDC, these awards recognize and honor the vital role and commitment of community partners to transform the university area into a community-engaged “innovation district.”

Wells said he believes “a thriving university requires a thriving surrounding community,” and he has focused his research endeavors on building those crucial connections and fostering growth in the university area.

Wells began his service as the director of USF’s Office of Sustainability, where he collaborated with faculty and students from various disciplines to build partnerships with community-based organizations and improve the quality of life across the Tampa Bay region. Through this work, he recognized a significant need for these resources in the University Area Community.

“What was so surprising to me was how close the community is to USF, yet its residents receive few benefits living next to a world-class university,” Wells explained.

UACDC is a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership whose mission is children and family development, crime prevention and commerce growth. Located within walking distance from the USF Tampa campus, its primary focus is the redevelopment and sustainability of the at-risk areas surrounding the Tampa campus.

“This doesn’t have to be the case. Faculty and students can bridge the ‘town and gown’ divide and share their expertise, time, and resources to build capacity for positive change,” Wells added.

From there, Wells rolled up his sleeves and went to work alongside his colleagues and students, who dedicated their efforts to improving the quality of life for university area residents.

In 2019, Wells helped spearhead the development of Harvest Hope Park, which ultimately led to other positive changes in the area including much-needed critical infrastructure, improving properties and more investments toward the community.

Recently, Wells and his team have concentrated on improving water quality throughout the community, addressing both residents’ drinking water and outdoor spaces. They are working to clean polluted stormwater ponds, making these areas safer and more enjoyable, while also tackling drinking water issues to ensure safer, more reliable access for residents.

This work doesn’t detract from Wells’ role as a professor — in fact, he actively involves his students in this meaningful, hands-on work.

“Learning by doing is my teaching philosophy, and all my USF courses involve community-engaged work,” Wells said. 
“Having students front and center in community advocacy efforts is critical to their education as engaged citizens. And what is especially rewarding for me is when I see students continuing their own advocacy for the community long after the class has ended.”

“Dr. Wells is the reason I’m in graduate school at USF,” said Serena Echols, a graduate student in applied anthropology.  “His love for environmental anthropology through community engagement empowers us to share experiences to improve human and environmental health conditions. I appreciate his dedication to his students as he always supports my academic endeavors and shares opportunities to expand my passion and research for environmental justice.”

For Wells, the honor is as much a recognition of his students’ work as his own, as they have partnered with him over the years to create a stronger, more resilient University Area Community.

As Wells reminds his students, ‘There’s a difference between optimism and hope. Optimism waits; hope rolls up its sleeves.’ He believes that now, more than ever, students must be hopeful—taking meaningful action to create change.

Learn more about ways to get involved with the University Area Community Development Corporation.