This essay describes Jennifer Renick’s Research Program. My research program focuses on two main areas, both broadly situated within community studies. The first area is the factors that influence climate and culture within educational spaces. I am interested in understanding how schools and other educational spaces can be welcoming communities for all participants, by adopting practices that foster a sense of belonging and mattering. My second area of interest is in how to conduct community engaged research that is mutually beneficial, looking specifically at effective approaches for university-community partnerships and participatory research methods.