Tougaloo College continues to lead with purpose and impact through the work of the Tougaloo College Maternal Health Research Collaborative (TCMHRC)—a federally funded initiative addressing one of the most urgent public health crises facing the nation: maternal health disparities. Established in 2023 through funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), TCMHRC was created to strengthen Tougaloo College Delta Health Partners’ (TC/DHP) Healthy Start Initiative research capacity while simultaneously training undergraduate students as Early-Stage Maternal Health Investigators.

Addressing a Critical Need

TCMHRC responds directly to this crisis by collecting and analyzing Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data to identify healthcare needs, community and environmental factors that influence health, and intervention opportunities for mothers participating in the TC/DHP Healthy Start Initiative across seven Mississippi Delta counties: Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica, and Washington.

Student-Centered Research with Real-World Impact

Central to the Collaborative’s mission is the training and development of undergraduate scholars who are gaining hands-on experience in applied maternal health research. Students Travarius Anderson, Makalyla Luckett, Aryah Palmer, Darcie Thomas, and Maia Turner are actively engaged in:

  • Examining maternal health outcomes of concern,
  • Identifying health disparities impacting prenatal and perinatal health,
  • Supporting the implementation of PRAMS surveys among pregnant and postpartum women, and
  • Contributing to the development of community-based solutions that address maternal and infant health disparities.

Through this immersive research experience, students are not only developing quantitative and qualitative research skills but are also earning professional certifications, including Community Health Worker Training, Adult Mental Health First Aid, and CITI Human Subjects Research certification—positioning them for graduate study, public health careers, and leadership roles in maternal health work.

From Research to Action

TCMHRC’s work extends beyond data collection. Findings from the Collaborative will inform pilot studies, guide healthcare intervention strategies, and support grant submissions to national agencies. The team is also committed to disseminating research outcomes through poster presentations, peer-reviewed journal submissions, campus programming, and Community Consortia district meetings.

A Model of Mission-Driven Excellence

The Tougaloo College Maternal Health Research Collaborative exemplifies the College’s commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and student leadership. By centering maternal health, elevating undergraduate researchers, and addressing the need for improved health outcomes in the Mississippi Delta, TCMHRC reflects Tougaloo College’s enduring mission to educate, empower, and serve. This is good news—for our students, our communities, and the future of maternal health.