Dr Beth Merenstein is a Professor of Sociology at Central Connecticut State University. She is the former Associate Vice President for Community Engagement and Experiential Learning and the inaugural Executive Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Social Research (CCESR) at Central Connecticut State University. Her community engagement research and teaching spans more than two decades, with particular emphasis on engaging undergraduate students in the work. As a Sociology professor, she has developed multiple community engaged courses working with a variety of community partners.