College of Doctoral Studies
Center for Organizational Wellness, Engagement, and Belonging
Innovative research supporting human capital and driving organizational growth
Research Chair: Dr. Kimberly M. Underwood
Senior Research Fellow: Dr. Sandra Sessoms-Penny
Senior Research Fellow: Dr. Joy Taylor
About the Center
Welcome to the Center for Organizational Wellness, Engagement, and Belonging (CO-WEB), where we explore and advance the science behind creating healthier and more engaging working environments. At CO-WEB, we recognize that a thriving workplace is more than just a collection of tasks and responsibilities — it is a dynamic ecosystem. In a world where many employees are seeking more than just a paycheck, a workplace that prioritizes wellness, engagement and belonging is not just a benefit — it is a competitive advantage.
CO-WEB serves as the research home for faculty, students and alumni who have an expressed interest or have an existing research agenda related to organizational functioning in workplaces and communities of practice. At our center, we generate interdisciplinary research and scholarship that examines factors that contribute to organizational and workplace wellness, and stakeholder engagement and belonging. We conduct rigorous studies, synthesize the latest findings for scholarship, and collaborate with thought leaders to provide actionable recommendations and guidance for organizations in all communities of practice. Our work not only explores the individual and organizational benefits of wellness, engagement, and belonging but also provides a roadmap for organizations to unlock the full potential of their workforce.
CO-WEB seeks to create a progressive community of scholarship by providing collegiality, support and resources to faculty, students and alumni. Opportunities for research are cultivated and supported in a variety of ways within the center, including establishing direct affiliation with the center and its articulated research and scholarship agenda, serving as an advisor or contributor or serving as a Fellow-in-Residence.
For more information on research and scholarship opportunities or CO-WEB membership, please email us directly at Kimberly.Underwood@phoenix.edu.
You can also complete the Membership Request Form for membership consideration.
Fellows-in-Residence
The Fellows-in-Residence role was designed to usher in the potentials of like-minded researchers who desire to become part of the Research and Scholarship Enterprise (RSE). The research centers implemented these voluntary roles in 2020, and have since grown the cadre of fellows who work within each center. We continue to invite those who are interested in becoming fellows to reach out to each center for additional information.
