The Huber Learning Community

The Huber Learning Community (HLC) is designed for 20 first year, pre-professional health students (pre-dentistry, -medicine, -optometry, -occupational therapy, -pharmacy, -physical therapy, -physician assistant, and -veterinary medicine) from any major with interests in cross-disciplinary and community-based learning.

The goal of the HLC is to create an environment in which students (1) learn to integrate their undergraduate academic coursework with preparation for a professional health career and (2) gain early exposure to and experience working with a variety of health professionals in the local community (e.g. rescue squad, free clinic, hospital).  Pre-professional students who become adept at skills in integrative & collaborative learning, multicultural competency, and community awareness will likely be those who effect change in their communities and provide leadership in the rapidly evolving and expanding fields of health and human services.

During the fall semester, HLC members will be enrolled in HHS 201 (Health Care Professionals and Diverse Communities, 1 credit hour) where they will explore three fundamental health issues (vaccinations, antibiotic resistance, and health care delivery) through the "lens" of their future profession.  Members will concurrently be introduced to a variety of health care settings in the local community and participate in a two-hour poverty simulation. 

During the spring semester, HLC members will be enrolled in HHS 202 (Health Care Service and Cultural Competence, 2 credit hours), where they will explore three additional health issues (vector-borne diseases, healthy food and clean water, and emerging infectious diseases) through the "lens" of their academic major.  Members will concurrently complete three service rotations (~20 hours total) in the local community, and participate in a 1.5-hour multicultural competency workshop.

The HLC course sequence (HHS 201 and 202) is designed to foster skills in inter-disciplinary and inter-professional collaboration, multicultural competency, and civic responsibility.  All HLC activities reflect the core values of the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services, and are intended to enhance first year students' abilities to integrate ideas and concepts explored in general education, major, minor, pre-professional, and elective coursework.

 

 

When selecting members for our learning community, we seek freshmen from any major who have a declared interest in a pre-professional health program and who are interested in cross-disciplinary and community-based learning.  Other important characteristics in selecting members for the community will be a willingness to interact and work with diverse populations, to learn while serving, and to explore the role of partnerships in shaping innovation in health care.

 

Questions about the Huber Learning Community?  Please contact Dr. Sharon Babcock at (540)568-2669 or babcocsk@jmu.edu.  You may also contact The Office of Residence Life at res-life@jmu.edu or (540)568-4767.

 

"Higher education is about providing opportunities for students to become more whole human beings.  Thus, in my opinion, the provision of opportunities to stretch their vision, interact with persons different than themselves, and be involved in providing service to others, is an all-important ingredient of a high-quality educational experience." Dr. Vida S. Huber

 

The Huber Learning Community is named in honor of Dr. Vida S. Huber.  Dr. Huber passed away suddenly in November 2005 after eighteen years at James Madison University as Professor of Nursing, Associate Dean of the College of Integrated Science and Technology, and Director of the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services (IIHHS).   The Institute, established in 2003, has it origins in Dr. Huber's vision of creating a place that brings together innovative, effective health and human services education, research, and outreach programs to make a difference in the community.