Key Activities
Community-Academic Partnerships
A central focus of the Duvall Initiative is fostering partnerships between the university and local organizations in the Sarasota-Manatee region. These partnerships are supported by a quarterly news bulletin that provides:
- Grant opportunities, including local funding sources.
- Updates on local events and training opportunities.
- Local data resources for Sarasota-Manatee.
Additionally, the Chair, along with faculty and student affiliates, routinely attend community meetings, serve on local committees and planning boards, support the development of local projects and initiatives, and implement projects strategically designed to address community health needs in the Sarasota-Manatee region.
The Duvall Conference
This annual event unites scholars, practitioners, and community leaders to exchange insights, share best practices, and present new research while celebrating collaborative efforts to address local community health challenges.
The Duvall Pre-Conference Workshop Series
A series of interactive workshops preceding the annual conference, designed to equip human service professionals, community members, faculty, staff, and students with practical skills and knowledge to address human service challenges and community health problems.
The Duvall Pre-Conference Dinner Series
This annual dinner celebrates outstanding professional contributions to the community, recognizes individual community achievements, and fosters connections among stakeholders, researchers, and service providers.
Graduate, Faculty, & Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities
The Duvall Initiative provides mentorship and funding for graduate, faculty, and postdoctoral fellows. Fellows engage in community research projects and serve on local community boards, offering academic expertise to enhance the region’s human services sector and improve community health outcomes. Faculty fellows also actively participate in the Duvall National Scholarship Program.
For more information, contact the Duvall Chair at Duvall-Chair@usf.edu.