Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) Study Presented to Regional Managers
Dr. Megan Welsh Carroll, Associate Professor in the School of Public Affairs, accompanied by Public Health graduate student Malaya Cilley, recently engaged with city managers and assistant city managers from across the San Diego region. The purpose was to gather feedback on the statewide Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) study—a collaborative project with the California Department of Public Health, Office of Health Equity.
During the presentation, Dr. Carroll received insightful feedback from attendees, including Graham Mitchell, City Manager of El Cajon and SDSU School of Public Affairs Lecturer. Mitchell noted the exceptional engagement of participants, emphasizing the relevance of Dr. Carroll's research to the daily concerns of city managers. The project aims to provide practical recommendations for ensuring WaSH access for unhoused Californians.
According to Mitchell, “Although attendance of city managers was smaller than usual, this was one of the most engaging discussions we’ve had in a while. Clearly, Dr. Carroll’s work perked the interests of the region’s leaders because we think about this topic every day.”
Dr. Carroll shared, “Getting input from our region's city leaders, who think about these issues everyday, is critical for the success of this project - we academics can come up with great ideas, but recommendations are only worthwhile if they're practical and feasible to carry out.”
This exchange underscores the School of Public Affairs' commitment to community engagement and collaboration with local leaders. Dr. Carroll's presentation serves as a prime example of the School's efforts to bridge academic research with practical applications in the field.
Faculty members interested in presenting or seeking feedback from the San Diego City/County Management Association are encouraged to reach out to Graham Mitchell at [email protected].
Together, we continue to foster meaningful connections and contribute to the betterment of our community.
