Panelists will discuss innovative research and teaching strategies that integrate engagement with external communities into academic practice. Their engagement has not only impacted communities and society at large, but has also advanced teaching and learning, research, and scholarship. FEATURED PRESENTATIONS: "The ACOM Block: An Innovative Course Structure to Engage Students with Industry" Winner of the 2021 President’s Exemplary Program Award The Agricultural Education & Communications (ACOM) block course format was developed by a team of ACOM faculty members to address feedback received from alumni and agriculture industry representatives who suggested graduates needed additional development in problem-solving and critical thinking skills. In 2015, a study evaluating ACOM programs nationwide ranked Texas Tech University as the number one ACOM program in the country. To remain at the top and to stay relevant with industry trends, the TTU ACOM faculty implemented four new senior-level courses that are designed to give students a comprehensive, capstone learning experience. The program is the first and only agricultural communications program in the country to implement this type of learning experience. "West Texas 3D Covid-19 Relief Consortium" Winner of the 2021 President’s Excellence in Engaged Scholarship Award Faculty, staff, and students from Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) formed the West Texas 3D COVID-19 Relief Consortium (WT3D) to develop a supply chain to design, manufacture, assemble, and deliver personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical devices to frontline workers across West Texas. Partnerships with surrounding hospitals, referral centers, nursing facilities, state hospitals, and other frontline facilities were formed to determine needs. In addition, partnerships with local manufacturing companies were formed to meet these needs, and a partnership with Angel Flight enabled the delivery of much-needed medical materials. Furthermore, the research arm of WT3D generated and exchanged knowledge with network partners regarding item sterilization and reuse, face mask material effectiveness, and respirator fitting. The program's collaborative efforts have impacted the strength and togetherness of the Texas Tech community in a desperate time and have led to practical solutions to abate the coronavirus while advancing engaged scholarship.