Community Engagement in Kinesiology: Institutional Supports, Equity-Centered Practice, and Student Success

The purpose of this conceptual article was to explore community engagement as a critical practice for advancing kinesiology and higher education in today’s complex social and public health landscape. Kinesiology programs are uniquely positioned to partner with communities to address urgent challenges such as health disparities, wellness promotion, and access to movement and recreation. In the article, we examine how community engagement enriches student learning while creating meaningful impact beyond the classroom. We also highlight strategies for building reciprocal partnerships, reducing structural barriers that interfere with engaged scholarship, and aligning kinesiology initiatives with community-identified needs. Together, these perspectives offer kinesiology programs practical approaches for advancing community-engaged scholarship and practice in ways that strengthen both their institutions and the communities that they serve.