Meet the 2026 Projects for Societal Impact (PSI) Awardees 🎉
The Moritz Center is proud to support four interdisciplinary teams advancing innovative, community-engaged research. Each project receives $50,000 to help bring their work to life alongside community partners.
This year’s cohort reflects a strong commitment to social impact, community well-being, and cross-disciplinary collaboration:
• Cultural Adaptation and Pilot Testing of the SHE Intervention for Native American Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence — Dr. Yang Li
• Peer-Led Online Intervention to Support Family Caregivers of People with Psychiatric Disabilities — Dr. Mercedes Hernandez
• Lifelong Learning with Friends — Dr. Jonathan Pierce
• Communicating with Compassion: Designing AI-Assisted Tools to Strengthen Peer Support for Military and Veteran Spouses — Dr. Michael Mackert
Learn more about this year’s cohort at the link in bio!
It’s Back! 🎉
The SIC: Social Impact Challenge has returned! This exciting pitch competition, presented by the Moritz Center, invites graduate students to share innovative ideas that use the arts and humanities to improve behavioral health in our communities. It’s your chance to turn a meaningful vision into real-world impact.
🏆 Two winning teams will each receive $5,000 to bring their projects to life.
📅 Mark your calendar: The pitch competition takes place on September 15.
🔗 Learn more and apply by visiting our Moritz Center website (link in bio)
Missed our Social Impact Challenge Webinar? No problem! Everything is now available on our website 🎉
You can access the slides and full recording anytime to catch up on what you missed and get inspired as you start building your application.
There’s still time to apply...don’t forget the deadline is June 30!
Yesterday, the Moritz Center welcomed local community organization leaders for a seminar exploring the impactful research happening across our school and center, and the power of collaboration between academia and community organizations. ✨
A special thank you to Drs. Akram Al-Turk, Jaime Fuentes-Balderrama, and Sandy Magaña for sharing insights into the meaningful work they are leading. We’re also deeply grateful to the community leaders who joined us and contributed to such thoughtful conversations.🧡
We look forward to continuing the dialogue and building stronger partnerships together!🤘
Happy Summer, Longhorns! ☀️🧡
We had an incredible spring semester and are so grateful to everyone who helped make it such a success.
A huge congratulations to all graduates — we can’t wait to see all the amazing things ahead for you! 🎓
Stay tuned for exciting opportunities to get involved this summer. But for now, enjoy a well-deserved break and get some rest! 🤘
One week to go!! 🤘
Curious about the Social Impact Challenge? Join us live on May 13 at 4 PM for a webinar where we’ll answer your questions, share tips, and walk through what makes a strong application.
Save your spot—RSVP through the link in our bio!🧡
Huge thanks to everyone who came out to our second Moritz Concert & Community last week—such a fun way to wrap up the semester! 🧡
Special shoutout to the incredibly talented @rubydice + band for the amazing music, and to Allyson from @twosteplessons for the fantastic two-step lessons. 🎶🤠
And of course, big thanks to @hitw for the always warm hospitality!
Happy end of the semester, y’all!! 🤘
TOMORROW — don’t miss Moritz Concert & Community! 🎶
We’re back Wednesday, April 29, from 4:30–6:30 PM at Hole in the Wall
@rubydice + full band are taking the stage—and Ruby just won Best Bass Player in Austin. ✨This is one you’ll want to see live.
Get there early for 2-step lessons with Allyson from @twosteplessons during the first 30 minutes! 💃
Free with RSVP (link in bio) — grab your spot now and bring your crew!
Come out, fill the room, and be part of the fun! 🧡
Get ready 🎶 WEDNESDAY, is the 2nd Moritz Sponsored Concert & Community event featuring the incredible @rubydice , recently named Best Bassist in Austin 🏆
To make it even more special, we will have free two-step lessons from @twosteplessons , so you can hit the dance floor with confidence before the music really kicks in.
📍 Hosted at the legendary Hole in the Wall @hitwatx
🕓 Doors: 4:30 PM
💃 Dance lessons: 4:45 PM
🎸 Live music follows with Ruby Dice & full band
Bring your friends, your boots, and your best energy.
RSVP now via link in bio, see you there 🤠
Projects for Societal Impact Webinar 🧡💙
Hear from our 2025 PSI grantees as they share project updates and reflect on the impact of their community-based research. We’re proud to highlight the work of these incredible teams!
✨All are welcome
🗓️Monday, April 27
⏰ 3:30–4:30 PM
Virtual Event—DM us for the link!💻
🌱Join us for The Power of Pause: Building Trust & Resilience Together — an interactive workshop presented by the Mental Health Collab. 🌱
As we wrap up the spring semester, take time to slow down, reconnect, and build stronger relationships through connection, presence, and collective learning.
Facilitated by Mental Health Collab leads Anita Guarjardo, Lauren Gulbas, and Vanessa Klodnick 🧡
Food provided 🍽️
All are welcome ✨
Friday, April 24--12:30–2 PM 🤘
We’re proud to support community-driven research and impact! 💚
The University of Texas at Austin’s Initiative for Law, Societies, and Justice (ILSJ) is offering free research assistance to community organizations and faculty working on projects related to the criminal legal system in Central Texas. Through this initiative, students gain hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful, community-engaged research.
As part of this effort, the Moritz Center is proud to collaborate with ILSJ by supporting two interns at Communities for Recovery, helping advance impactful work that strengthens our Central Texas community. 🌷
