Kennesaw State University’s Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services (AMES) Research has been recognized with the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ (APLU) Public Impact Research Award. The award honors institutions that have carried out significant public impact research initiatives and achieved notable outcomes.
The AMES Research Center, established in 2021 by Brian Moore and Israel Sánchez-Cardona, both associate professors of psychology at KSU, focuses on addressing behavioral health challenges among service members and first responders. According to Brian Moore, director of the center, “Georgia has one of the largest active-duty and veteran populations in the country, yet ranks 48th nationally in behavioral health service provision. So, our mission from day one has been to deliver evidence-based, sustainable solutions.”
Since its founding, AMES has grown from a small collaboration into a national leader in community-engaged research. The center has secured $10 million in external funding, published over 70 peer-reviewed papers, and formed partnerships with more than 40 government and nonprofit agencies across nine states and Puerto Rico.
One of the center’s key programs—funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—targeted first responders and achieved up to a 70% reduction in suicidal ideation among participants. This result significantly exceeds the national goal of a 10% reduction. In collaboration with the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, AMES co-hosts Georgia’s first statewide suicide prevention summit and helped launch the state’s initial Suicide Mortality Review Board focused on veteran suicides.
AMES also operates an on-campus behavioral health clinic at KSU that serves military-affiliated individuals and their families. The clinic is staffed by licensed professionals.
Moore highlighted the center’s approach: “A lot of people picture research as happening in labs with microscopes and beakers. But our work happens in the field, partnering directly with agencies to understand needs and build programs that prevent crises before they start.”
KSU Executive Vice President for Research Karin Scarpinato accepted the APLU award at its annual meeting in Philadelphia on November 11. Scarpinato stated: “This award demonstrates the real-world impact AMES has on Georgia’s service members and first responders. AMES continues to model how researchers at Kennesaw State University work to bring their research out of the lab and into the community to build better lives.”
APLU President Waded Cruzado also acknowledged KSU’s efforts: “These extraordinary individuals are vital to keeping us safe and healthy, but all too often they lack access to the care they need to thrive amid incredibly demanding roles. Kennesaw State’s work has a demonstrated impact on service members and first responders’ well-being not just in Georgia, but in states across the country.”
