
Christine Drennon, Ph.D.
- Associate Professor , Sociology and Anthropology
Christine Drennon joined the Trinity faculty in 2002 and within months became engaged in addressing San Antonio's challenges. An associate professor of sociology and anthropology with expertise in urban geography and community development, Drennon seeks to give her students an intense appreciation for where they come from, both historically and geographically, and help them engage in their individual communities once they leave Trinity. Her students often work alongside her in urban research projects throughout the city.
Peer-Reviewed, Published Articles
Drennon's research and activism focus on San Antonio's inner-city neighborhoods. As research director for the Promise and Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants for the City of San Antonio and for the Choice Neighborhood Implementation project, she focused her work on the relationship between housing, education, and community development. "Drennon was an early advocate for the kind of collaboration that led us to receive the Promise Implementation Grant, which is helping transform the East Side of San Antonio," said San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro.
Drennon's recent research on economic segregation and inequity in San Antonio led to the adoption of an equity-based budget by the City of San Antonio, one of the first large cities in the U.S. to do so.
2014 recipient of the Marilyn J. Gittell Activist Scholar Award by the Urban Affairs Association (UAA) and SAGE. The national award acknowledges Drennon's impressive record of scholarship and engagement and her commitment to addressing issues of direct concern to urban communities.
As recipient of the award, Drennon delivered the plenary address at the UAA's national conference held in San Antonio March 19-22. "Christine Drennon continues a tremendous legacy left by Marilyn Gittell, one that challenges every research scholar committed to social justice to act on their values. UAA is extremely proud to partner with SAGE in recognizing such individuals who are making a difference in urban communities throughout the U.S.," said Margaret Wilder, UAA executive director.
Her community outreach, which includes establishing collaborative initiatives with various community agencies and school districts, demonstrates how scholars can build bridges of support and collaboration that make a difference in the lives of community residents. "I am honored and humbled to be recognized with this award," says Drennon. "I'm from the inner-city; I went from resident of the city – to student of the city – to activist in the city, when the three began to overlap."