On December 3, 2025, the college successfully held the inauguration ceremony and first open day of the Public Service, Emergency Action & Community Development Hub (PEACH) at the central garden outside Room 3-A102 on the Mission Hills Campus. Faculty and students gathered to witness the official launch of this new academic hub, which serves as a platform for interdisciplinary research, experiential learning, and scholarly engagement focused on community and public service.

The ceremony began at noon and was hosted by Dr. Ivan Lee, Dean Lin Wang and American Associate Dean Kelly Bricker delivered opening remarks, extending their congratulations on the establishment of PEACH. They emphasized PEACH’s role as a center for interdisciplinary academic research that brings together faculty and students to address complex social challenges. They highlighted its importance in strengthening students’ research capacity, applied skills, and sense of social responsibility. Dean Wang noted that globalization has intensified the complexity of public and community issues, underscoring the urgent need for interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge integration. The PEACH Hub, she explained, represents a strategic initiative by the college to respond to these demands by integrating academic research, teaching, and community engagement.

During the formal introduction of the Hub, Dr. Ivan Lee, who led its development, outlined PEACH’s academic positioning, core research functions, and long-term development plans. He explained that PEACH serves as an academic nexus supporting faculty and student-led interdisciplinary research. Equipped with advanced research tools, including eye-tracking systems, biometric instruments, and EEG devices, PEACH provides a high-quality experimental and analytical environment for scholarly inquiry. These facilities support applied research related to public service, emergency action, community development, and allied fields, while preparing students to translate research findings into practice.

In addition to its research mission, PEACH is designed to foster collaboration among universities, communities, and public institutions. Through internship development and community-based initiatives, PEACH enables students and faculty to engage directly with real-world issues relevant to public service, parks and recreation, sport management, tourism, and emergency management. This integrated approach facilitates the transformation of academic research into practical solutions and impactful outcomes for communities.

Dean Lin Wang, Associate Dean Kelly Bricker, and Dr. Ivan Lee jointly unveiled the PEACH plaque, marking a significant milestone in the college’s advancement of interdisciplinary research, innovative teaching, and community-engaged scholarship. The unveiling was met with enthusiastic applause, symbolizing broad support for the Hub’s academic mission.

Following the ceremony, faculty and students participated in an open exchange session and guided tour of PEACH. Attendees observed demonstrations of equipment and engaged in in-depth discussions with staff and faculty about academic research design, instrument applications, and academic and internship opportunities. Many students remarked that PEACH offers a valuable academic platform to expand their research experience and gain practical exposure in fields such as public service, parks and recreation, sport, tourism, and emergency management.