Welcome to the Partnerships with Purpose podcast, where we explore ways to ethically engage communities in research and service-learning projects. With this podcast, hosted by Cedric Shy, we hope to provide tools for faculty, students, and communities who seek to have effective and lasting community-university partnerships.
2026 in Review: Partnerships, Growth, Adaptability, and Expectancy
In this episode, host Cedric Shy sits down with the full TxTC staff, Jamie Hicks-Masterson, Jeewasmi Thapa, and John T. Cooper Jr., to look back on a year of community-engaged work across Texas. The conversation highlights how collaborative planning, student learning, and local partnerships turn classroom knowledge into real-world impact. It celebrates the reciprocal nature of community partnerships along with the meaningful experiences students gain along the way.
Timestamps:
01:24 - Recognizing G's Meritorious Award and team achievements
05:16 - Pine Island & Burton: community participation and stories
08:25 - Southeast Texas Urban Field Lab: hazard resilience and research
13:56 - Millican heirs property project: addressing land tenure issues
18:03 - Youth engagement: Camp Dash and empowering future leaders
20:20 - Upcoming projects: Ingram comprehensive plan and Hurricane Harvey anniversary
Links:
Full Annual Report
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GsmNVCwgbU7N7SGj9ISsvg0mv2whb-1A/view?usp=drive_link (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GsmNVCwgbU7N7SGj9ISsvg0mv2whb-1A/view?usp=drive_link)
Millican Project
https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/heirs-property-black-owned-land-brazos-county/ (https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/heirs-property-black-owned-land-brazos-county/)
Donate to our Good Neighbor Fund
https://myaggieland.txamfoundation.com/tamf/give?designations=ARCHIDE (https://myaggieland.txamfoundation.com/tamf/give?designations=ARCHIDE)
12 May 2026
Lessons from the Field Lab
In this sneak peek, hear how Southeast Texas task force members and researchers picked sites to study flooding and air quality using local knowledge and science side by side. See what happens when communities help lead research in Lessons from the Field Lab!
Link to Full Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0kkvkitD7g2znbHTuBlM4c?si=1d67ef56ce74401e (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0kkvkitD7g2znbHTuBlM4c?si=1d67ef56ce74401e)
17 Apr 2026
Meet the 2026 Cooper Scholars
Join host Cedric Shy as he interviews Juan Pina and Liz Pineda, the latest recipients of the Cooper Scholar Award. Discover their unique journeys into urban planning, their passion for community development, and how they aim to transform their cities.
00:00 Introduction to the Cooper Scholars
02:15 Meet the Cooper Scholars: Juan and Liz
05:30 Liz's Journey into Urban Planning
09:45 Juan's Path and Experiences
14:00 Challenges and Opportunities in Urban Planning
18:30 Exciting Projects and Future Aspirations
22:00 Closing Remarks and Future Plans
20 Feb 2026
Mastering Classroom Management in Community-Engaged Learning
In this episode, Dr. Bill Eisele discusses how involving communities in learning can change the way we plan and build. He explains the structure of his classroom and how students use real-world projects to make a difference in local areas.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Community-Engaged Learning
07:49 Classroom Engagement and Syllabus Preparation
13:00 Facilitation and Community Trust
22:02 Future of Community-Engaged Learning
11 Nov 2025
Learning in Action: Bridging the Classroom with Community Engagement
In this episode, hosts Cedric Shy and Jamie Hicks-Masterson engage with Jeewasmi Thapa and Dr. Ivis Garcia from Texas A&M University to explore the concept of community-engaged learning, the selection of communities for partnership, and the dynamics of classroom learning that translate into real-world applications. The episode emphasizes the reciprocal nature of community partnerships and the valuable experiences gained by students.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Community Engagement and Planning
03:33 Defining Community Engaged Learning
08:02 Identifying Community Needs and Partnerships
11:05 Classroom Dynamics and Engagement Strategies
16:48 Real-World Applications and Project Outcomes
3 Nov 2025
Developing Solutions for Fenceline Communities
In part two of Developing Solutions for Fenceline Communities, we continue discussing how research, collaboration, and community voices drive meaningful change. Dr. Newman has spent years working alongside fenceline communities that face environmental, social, and health challenges, learning from their experiences and helping create practical solutions.
Chapters
00:00 Overview of fence line communities and their significance.
03:00 Discussion on the environmental and health challenges faced by these communities.
09:00 Highlighting the role of Texas Target Communities in fostering trust and engagement.
15:00 Covering adaptive strategies and sharing success stories from these communities.
21:00 Insights into the future of community engagement, focusing on digital tools and personal interactions.
3 Nov 2025
Meet Dr. Galen Newman: Department Head of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning
In this episode, Meet Dr. Galen Newman, we sit down with Dr. Galen Newman, Department Head of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning (LAUP). Hear about his journey, vision, and leadership style, and get to know the person guiding the future of LAUP. As a research leader, he brings together urban regeneration, flood resilience, spatial analytics, and community engagement into powerful, design-driven solutions.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Community Engagement and Service Learning
00:42 Dr. Galen D Newman's Background and Achievements
02:15 Journey to Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning
05:30 The Role of Humor in Professional Settings
07:00 Educational Path and Career Development
10:45 Community Planning and Impact
13:30 Transition to Texas A&M and Professional Growth
16:00 The Importance of Community Engagement
18:45 Challenges and Rewards of Department Leadership
21:30 Research Focus and Fence Line Communities
3 Nov 2025
A Community Champion
In this episode, A Community Champion, we welcome back Sam Collins, an individual with deep ties to Hitchcock, Texas, who embodies a profound commitment to uplifting the local community. A proud Texas A&M University graduate, Sam consistently places impact over recognition, choosing to work behind the scenes to create meaningful, lasting change. His dedication reflects a powerful example of servant leadership in action.
Sams Website
www.truthstrong.org (http://www.truthstrong.org)
Chapters
00:00 Community Resilience Post-Hurricane Harvey
03:00 Collaborative Efforts in Galveston County
06:00 Creating a Comprehensive 20-Year Plan
09:00 Leadership and Community Engagement
12:00 Personal Experiences and Involvement
3 Nov 2025
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom
In this episode, 'A Celebration of Freedom,' we welcome Sam Collins III, a passionate community leader, historian, and change-maker from Galveston County, Texas. As a seventh-generation Texan and dedicated historian, discover how Sam has revitalized history and is dedicated to making Galveston the global center for Juneteenth celebrations, working with universities to promote and accurately narrate this pivotal moment in American history.
Check out the links below!
Sams Website
www.truthstrong.org (http://www.truthstrong.org)
www.juneteenthbirthplace.com (http://www.juneteenthbirthplace.com)
Juneteenth Festivities | Texas City, TX
https://www.texascitytx.gov/918/Juneteenth-Festivities (https://www.texascitytx.gov/918/Juneteenth-Festivities)
Juneteenth Houston
https://www.juneteenthhouston.org/ (https://www.juneteenthhouston.org/)
Celebrate Juneteenth in Galveston 2025 | Visit Galveston
https://www.visitgalveston.com/events/annual-events/juneteenth/ (https://www.visitgalveston.com/events/annual-events/juneteenth/)
160 Years of Freedom - Authentic Texas
https://authentictexas.com/160-years-of-freedom/ (https://authentictexas.com/160-years-of-freedom/)
Chapters
02:15 Meet Sam Collins III: A Community Leader and Historian
05:30 The Significance of Juneteenth and Its History
12:45 Revitalizing Galveston and Hitchcock Post-Hurricane Harvey
18:00 The Role of Education and Opportunities in Community Growth
24:30 Challenges and Allies in Preserving History
30:00 Celebrating Juneteenth: A Global Perspective
36:15 The Importance of Truth and Collective Growth
42:00 Closing Thoughts and Resources
3 Nov 2025
Meet the Cooper Scholars
In this episode, 'Meet the Cooper Scholars,' we hear from Windya Welideniya (Master’s student in Urban and Regional Planning) and Jaelin Lopez (junior in Urban and Regional Planning), the first recipients of the John T. Cooper, Jr. Foundation Excellence Award. Listen in on their inspiring stories and how they became involved in the field of planning.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Community Engagement and Planning
02:15 Meet the Cooper Scholars: Jaylen and Windia
05:30 Jaylen's Journey into Urban Planning
09:45 Windia's Path and Experiences
14:00 Challenges and Opportunities in Community Planning
18:30 Exciting Projects and Future Aspirations
22:00 Closing Remarks and Future Plans
3 Nov 2025
Research for Communities
In this episode, 'Research for Communities,' we hear from Dr. Nathanael Rosehenheim, Research Associate Professor and Interim Director of the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center (HRRC). Tune in to learn about how Dr. Rosehenheim applies data-driven research practices to engage with communities across Texas.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Community Engagement in Research
04:52 Dr. Rosenheim's Journey to Community-Engaged Research
09:44 Understanding Community Dynamics and Disparities
14:47 The Role of Researchers in Community Engagement
19:53 Future Directions for Community-Engaged Research
3 Nov 2025
Community Engagement Rules of Thumb
In this episode, 'Community Engagement Rules of Thumb,' we hear again from Dr. John T. Cooper Jr. about his introduction to the Texas Target Communities program and learn some of the important community engagement principles that guide our work!
3 Nov 2025
Getting to Know John T. Cooper Jr: A Community Engagement Story
In this episode 'Getting to Know John Cooper: A Community Engagement Story,' we hear from Dr. John T. Cooper Jr., a professor of practice in Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University and director emeritus of our program, Texas Target Communities. Get ready to dive into his journey and discover how community engagement became the driving force of his career.
22 Oct 2025
Caldwell Engages in a new way of Planning
In this episode, we again hear from Forrest Williams (a former student and also), Director of Administrative Services at the City of Caldwell. This time, he talks about his experience as a community partner. He shares how the City tested new ways to engage residents using virtual platforms. He also speaks about his appreciation of working with students. Let’s hear the conversation:
22 Oct 2025
Urban Planning from a Student’s Perspective
In this episode, 'From a Student’s Perspective,' I talk with Forrest Williams, a former student who worked with a community as part of his college coursework. He talks about the project, his experience, and the challenges students often face. He says, “It was stressful in the moment, but looking back, that’s how every meeting goes.”
22 Oct 2025
Community Impact
In this episode, “Community Impact”, we hear again from the city manager of Nolanville, Kara Escajeda. We worked with Nolanville again in 2019 in 7 classes with the ENDEAVR initiative. She talks about the community impacts of student work.
22 Oct 2025
Why the Comprehensive Plan
In this episode, “Why the Comprehensive Plan”, you get to hear from Kara Escajeda, the city manager of Nolanville. In 2014, the small community worked with Texas Target Communities and 4 graduate planning classes to develop a comprehensive plan, or the city’s master plan that documents the community’s vision, and actions to improve economic development, housing, community facilities, infrastructure, and other land use decisions.
22 Oct 2025
The Origins of Texas Target Communities
In our first episode on “The Origins of Texas Target Communities,” you will hear from Dr Shannon Van Zandt former associate executive dean of the School of Architecture.
She reflects on the history of the program to serve the citizens of Texas and the value for students
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