KCH Becomes HK



The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s College of Applied Health Sciences is proud to announce a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to advancing health sciences education and research. Effective Aug. 16, the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health will officially change its name to the Department of Health and Kinesiology.

The new name better reflects significant changes in our disciplines, research interests, and educational mission. Health and Kinesiology allows for a broader, more inclusive representation of a department that focuses on multiple aspects of health and physical activity in a diverse society. It also honors our legacy as leaders in the field of health and kinesiology, while pointing the way forward to a future that is both dynamic and innovative. 

The name change was a decision that was made based on goals highlighted in the KCH Strategic Plan and upon the recommendation of the KCH Restructuring Task Force. It was supported by multiple stakeholders and was recently approved by the College of Applied Health Sciences, UIUC Senate, and Board of Trustees.

Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences, expressed enthusiasm about the department’s name change, saying, “The renaming of our department to Health and Kinesiology aligns with our strategic vision of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing the multifaceted aspects of health and wellness. This change reflects our commitment to providing innovative education, conducting impactful research, and serving our communities.”

HK Department Head Kim Graber said, “As the department evolves to better reflect the dynamic landscape of health and movement sciences, we believe the change to Health and Kinesiology not only embraces our commitment to comprehensive wellness but also underscores our dedication to advancing research, education and outreach in these vital areas.”

The Department of Health and Kinesiology offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs aimed at preparing students for careers in health promotion, exercise science, public health, rehabilitation, and related fields. With world-class faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, the department equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to excel in diverse healthcare settings.

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Message from the Dean



Hello, everyone.

I hope this message finds you all in good health and high spirits as we embark on a new academic year at the College of Applied Health Sciences. As the dean of our esteemed college, I am thrilled to welcome you to the fall 2023 semester and share some updates.

This edition of the newsletter is a testament to our relentless commitment to excellence, innovation and community engagement. In the past year, our college has made remarkable strides in research, education and outreach. In this newsletter, we celebrate these accomplishments and highlight the incredible individuals who have made them possible.

Our faculty members continue to shine as leaders in their respective fields, producing groundbreaking research that contributes to the advancement of health sciences. Our students, the heart of our community, have continued to excel academically and demonstrate their passion for making a positive impact in the world of healthcare. Moreover, our alumni network continues to grow and thrive, with our graduates making waves in various sectors of the healthcare industry.

I encourage all of you to actively engage with the newsletter by reading and sharing. This publication is a reflection of our shared journey, and your input is invaluable in making it a meaningful resource for our community.

Thank you for your dedication to the College of Applied Health Sciences. Together, we will continue to empower excellence and drive positive change in the field of health sciences.

Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell,

Dean, College of Applied Health Sciences

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KCH becoming HK this fall



The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s College of Applied Health Sciences is proud to announce a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to advancing health sciences education and research. Effective Aug. 16, the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health will officially change its name to the Department of Health and Kinesiology.

The new name better reflects significant changes in our disciplines, research interests, and educational mission. Health and Kinesiology allows for a broader, more inclusive representation of a department that focuses on multiple aspects of health and physical activity in a diverse society. It also honors our legacy as leaders in the field of health and kinesiology, while pointing the way forward to a future that is both dynamic and innovative. 

The name change was a decision that was made based on goals highlighted in the KCH Strategic Plan and upon the recommendation of the KCH Restructuring Task Force. It was supported by multiple stakeholders and was recently approved by the College of Applied Health Sciences, UIUC Senate, and Board of Trustees.

Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences, expressed enthusiasm about the department’s name change, saying, “The renaming of our department to Health and Kinesiology aligns with our strategic vision of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing the multifaceted aspects of health and wellness. This change reflects our commitment to providing innovative education, conducting impactful research, and serving our communities.”

HK Department Head Kim Graber said, “As the department evolves to better reflect the dynamic landscape of health and movement sciences, we believe the change to Health and Kinesiology not only embraces our commitment to comprehensive wellness but also underscores our dedication to advancing research, education and outreach in these vital areas.”

The Department of Health and Kinesiology offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs aimed at preparing students for careers in health promotion, exercise science, public health, rehabilitation, and related fields. With world-class faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, the department equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to excel in diverse healthcare settings.

For more information about the Department of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s College of Applied Health Sciences, please visit this link.

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University of Illinois designated as Purple Heart university



(from left) Dean Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, Chancellor Robert Jones and Chez’s Garrett Anderson

The University of Illinois was designated Friday as a Purple Heart university, awarded the honor because of the university’s longstanding commitment to military veterans.

“This university has a tradition unlike any other that goes far beyond just remembering those who lost their lives in service,” Chancellor Robert Jones said. “This has been a place of world-changing ideas, innovations and, sometimes just plain old hard-headed determination to help those who come home to find success in their educational hopes and to lead lives and careers of impact after they earn their degree.”

Illinois was the first university to call for compulsory military training at all land grant colleges, as part of the Morrill Act of 1862, and developed the first post-secondary disability support service program in the world for Veterans. Established by Dr. Tim Nugent, this program allowed injured World War II veterans to use their GI Bill benefits for higher education.

In 2015, UIUC opened the doors at the Chez Veterans Center to provide an open, welcoming space for all student veterans and military-connected communities.

“During my tenure as dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences, I have had many opportunities to feel proud of leading such an outstanding unit. Today, that pride deepens with this truly humbling recognition by the Military Order of the Purple Heart,” said AHS Dean Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell.

“The commitment of this college and this university to helping wounded veterans pursue their degrees goes back more than 70 years, when Dr. Timothy Nugent established the very first support program in higher education for World War two veterans with disabilities. At a time when people in wheelchairs were not expected or encouraged to attend college and dream of careers, Dr. Nugent said, “Why not?”’

The Chez Veterans Center is the largest, most comprehensive facility of its kind in the United States, and serves more than 550 military-connected students.

“AHS continues to be the unwavering force pushing us forward to do more and to find new and better ways to open doors of access and success to the student-veterans who trust this university with their academic futures,” Chancellor Jones said.

The event was well-attended and VIPs included Matt Janes from the office of Congressman Rodney Davis; State Senator Scott Bennett; State Senator Chapin Rose; State Representative Mike Marron; State Representative Brad Halbrook, Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, members of the Chez Veterans Center advisory board, and members of the Veterans Assistance Commission and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Editor’s note:

To reach Vince Lara-Cinisomo, email vinlara@illinois.edu.
 

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College of Applied Health Sciences
110 Huff Hall
1206 South 4th Street
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-2131