Contact: Emily Springer, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement, sprin116@msu.edu

EAST LANSING, MI—Hiram “Hi” Fitzgerald, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology, was recently honored with the Patricia M. Sobrero Community Change Award from the Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship (ACES).

Established in 2025, this award was created to recognize individuals who have made a transformative contribution to community-engaged scholarship and practice. Fitzgerald is only the second recipient, following its inaugural honoree and namesake, Patricia M. Sobrero, who was a champion and advocate of community-engaged work throughout her career.

As a founding member of ACES, Fitzgerald, who served as associate provost for MSU’s University Outreach and Engagement from 2001-2018, began his work with ACES in 2010. He volunteered to serve on the organization’s planning team to evaluate its potential value, viability, and structure.

“Hi has continually helped ACES include all types of community engagement, taking time to understand each type every person practiced so that various forms of engagement would be defined and included,” said ACES President Suzanne Morse Moomaw. “He continuously nominates individuals who have diverse backgrounds and represent international locations and is a strong proponent of the academy overall.”

Fitzgerald was also a founding member and the first president of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium. He played a key role in incorporating the organization and served as president from 2009-2015, providing leadership during its transition from the National Outreach Scholarship Conference to the Engagement Scholarship Consortium.

He is past president and executive director of both the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health and the International Association for Infant Mental Health, and past executive director of the World Association for Infant Mental Health.

Currently, he is a member of the Training Research Center for Tribal Early Childhood; the Native Children’s Research Exchange; and the advisory boards for the University of Nebraska Buffett Early Childhood Institute, the Oklahoma State University Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity, and the Rocky Mountain Prevention Center. 

ACES began with 43 volunteers and 23 members and has grown to 152 members over its 16-years history. Visit the academy’s website to view members and their respective areas of scholarship.