University of Minnesota School of Public Health (SPH) Assistant Professor Manka Nkimbeng has been named a recipient of the University’s 2026 Community-Engaged Scholar Award for Early Career faculty. The award, administered by the University’s Office for Public Engagement, recognizes outstanding publicly-engaged research, teaching, and service that demonstrate meaningful partnerships between the University and members of the community.
Nkimbeng’s work focuses on addressing health inequities and improving health outcomes for older adults, with a particular emphasis on African immigrant communities. Her research examines the root causes of health inequities across these and other populations and develops and tests interventions that can be translated into health policy and clinical practice. Through the community partnerships she has led, Nkimbeng has helped develop dementia education programs for African immigrants and led public health education initiatives for Black immigrant communities in Minnesota.
“These awardees represent truly exemplary university-community partnerships across research, teaching, and outreach that make real differences in society,” said Laurie Van Egeren, vice provost for public engagement. “We are honored to recognize their contributions to community-engaged scholarship.”
Raised by her grandparents in Cameroon, Nkimbeng experienced firsthand how limited access to health care can shape health outcomes. After immigrating to the United States, she continued to see how health systems often fail to work well for everyone, experiences that inspired her career in public health and her dedication to partnering with communities to create more equitable and culturally-responsive approaches to care.
Nkimbeng will be honored at the UMN Public Engagement Conference on Tuesday, March 3 alongside other award recipients from across the University.
About the University of Minnesota Office for Public Engagement
The University of Minnesota Office for Public Engagement (OPE) is a national leader in advancing community-engaged research, teaching, and outreach that address the most pressing issues of our time. OPE builds and supports infrastructure throughout the University’s five-campus system that promotes deep, mutually beneficial partnerships for scholars, students, and communities throughout Minnesota and beyond. The Community-Engaged Scholar Awards serve to highlight the breadth and impact of publicly engaged scholarship across the University.
