About the Center
The Robert L. Smith Center of Excellence for Rural and Community Health at Tougaloo College will serve as a transformative hub for research, workforce development, and community-based innovation aimed at reducing health disparities and advancing equitable care in rural Mississippi and the Deep South.
Anchored by Tougaloo’s historic leadership in public health, the Center will unify the College’s extensive work—spanning the Jackson Heart Study, Delta Health Partners, and the Central Mississippi Area Health Education Center—into a permanent, data-driven, and community-empowered institution.
Through collaborative research, targeted training pipelines, and deep partnerships with rural communities, the Center will convert evidence into action, ensuring that every initiative is grounded in the lived realities of the people it serves.
Why Tougaloo?
Tougaloo College has been a central actor in health equity for more than 50 years. As the Training and Education Center for the Jackson Heart Study, the College has advanced national understanding of cardiovascular disease among African Americans and built a robust pipeline of Black biomedical researchers and clinicians.
Research Excellence
Tougaloo leads NIH- and HRSA-funded programs in cardiovascular, maternal, and community health, leveraging rigorous science to address the root causes of health disparities.
Workforce Development
Student pipelines—including Jackson Heart Study Scholars, the SLAM Program, and the Brown–Tougaloo Partnership—prepare high school and undergraduate students for careers in public health and medicine.
Community Engagement
Deep rural partnerships with Delta Health Partners, the Foundation for the Mid-South, local school districts, and community organizations ensure that research is responsive, reciprocal, and grounded in trust.
Infrastructure & Facilities
The new Biomedical Research Building, supported by an $8 million NIH award, will house the Center and its Rural Health Data Lab—expanding capacity for collaborative research and training.
Core Pillars of the Center
Building on these institutional strengths, the Robert L. Smith Center will organize its work around interconnected pillars that move from data to practice to policy.
Rural Health Research & Data
Advance applied research on chronic disease, structural inequities, and social determinants of health in rural communities.
- Rural Health Data Lab and analytics hub.
- Collaborative projects with regional health systems.
- Use of AI/ML to identify and track disparities.
Workforce Pipelines
Prepare the next generation of rural health professionals and researchers through vertically aligned training pathways.
- High school enrichment and bridge programs.
- Undergraduate research and internship opportunities.
- Graduate and professional school preparation.
Community Innovation & Partnerships
Co-design interventions with rural communities and local partners to translate data into action.
- Community-based participatory research models.
- Health promotion and chronic disease prevention initiatives.
- Capacity-building for local organizations.
Policy & Systems Impact
Inform local, state, and regional policy through evidence-based recommendations grounded in community experience.
- Policy briefs and convenings for decision-makers.
- Partnerships with health agencies and advocacy groups.
- Training students in health policy and advocacy skills.
Connected Initiatives at Tougaloo
The Center will knit together existing excellence at Tougaloo College, creating a unified ecosystem for rural health equity.
Jackson Heart Study (UTEC)
Tougaloo’s role as the Undergraduate Training and Education Center for the Jackson Heart Study provides a nationally recognized platform for cardiovascular research and student training.
Delta Health Partners
Longstanding work with Delta Health Partners and regional collaborators to address maternal health, infant mortality, and related disparities in rural communities.
Central Mississippi AHEC
Programming through the Central Mississippi Area Health Education Center that exposes students to health careers and supports placement in underserved areas.
Scholars & SLAM Programs
JHS Scholars and SLAM participants gain intensive academic enrichment, research experience, and preparation for graduate and professional schools.
Brown–Tougaloo Partnership
Joint research, exchanges, and health equity-focused pathways with Brown University, including public health and medical school opportunities.
Biomedical Research & Training Center
The new Biomedical Research Building will house labs, shared facilities, and the Rural Health Data Lab, providing a home for the Center’s research enterprise.
Advancing Rural Health Equity
Investment in the Robert L. Smith Center of Excellence for Rural and Community Health will directly support students, faculty, and communities most affected by health disparities. Philanthropic and grant support will:
- Expand research capacity focused on rural health outcomes.
- Grow training pipelines for students committed to serving underserved communities.
- Scale community-based programs that translate data into healthier lives.
- Sustain the Rural Health Data Lab as a regional resource for evidence-informed decision-making.
Tougaloo College’s emerging AI/ML capacity, intersectoral research infrastructure, and enduring legacy of social justice create fertile ground for this bold initiative and for partners seeking measurable, enduring impact.
Partner with Tougaloo for Health Equity
Together, we can build a future where geography and race no longer predict health outcomes. Join Tougaloo College in launching the Robert L. Smith Center of Excellence for Rural and Community Health.
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