Collaboration for Change

The University of Richmond Center for Civic Engagement honored Professor Tara Casey, her students, and the Virginia Poverty Law Center at this year’s Engage for Change Awards Celebration. The Collaboration for Change Award recognizes a collaborative community-based partnership between campus and community stakeholders.

Students in Casey’s Public Policy joined with VPLC executive director Jay Speer in fall 2020 on research and legislative proposals surrounding housing equity. The end result of their work was the Preserving the American Dream Act, which proposed changes to Virginia’s foreclosure laws and offered more protections for manufactured homes. The bill passed the General Assembly and goes into effect in October 2021. 

 “The VPLC is an amazing advocate for low-income and historically marginalized communities, and we were honored to partner with them,” said Casey. “It’s wonderful to see the fruits of this partnership – and the work of our fantastic students – recognized in this special way.”

Pictured left to right are Prof. Julie McConnell; Jay Speer (Executive Director, VPLC); Olivia Seksinsky, L’21; Mary Grace Whitten, L’22; Sean Barrick, L’21; Carlos Ruiz, L’22; and Prof. Tara Casey.