Jeff Herrick joins CHBS as Health Sciences AUH

Jeffrey Herrick, PhD, has joined the College of Health and Behavioral Studies as Academic Unit Head (AUH) for Health Sciences. Herrick is a JMU alumnus receiving a BIS (‘03) and MS (‘05) from JMU along with his PhD in Rehabilitation and Movement Science from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Originally hailing from New York, Herrick has worked in various faculty and administrative related roles in Virginia, Illinois, and Maryland. He most recently served as an Executive Dean at the University of Lynchburg. “My responsibility was to build research infrastructure for faculty and students, from simple policies and procedures up to large scale events and mentoring programs,” said Herrick.

Herrick got his start in academia as a career-switch. He graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Psychology before entering public service and state government in Maine. “It was a very demanding job, and I reached a crossroads,” he explained.

“I was really loving cycling, mountain biking and fitness,” said Herrick, “to the point where I was reading research articles and figuring out best approaches. I decided at that point that I wanted to change my career.”

Herrick got connected to JMU Kinesiology and received a Bachelor of Individualized Studies in exercise science and a Master’s in Kinesiology.

“It feels very full circle,” said Herrick. “I launched my career [in health] here.”

Herrick looks forward to exploring the Harrisonburg area again. “The natural recreation in the area is undoubtedly lovely,” said Herrick. He said he anticipates getting back into cycling and exploring fly fishing.

“I think what my wife and I are most excited about is Mexi Night at Little Grill,” said Herrick. “We probably haven’t been in about 20 years, so we are really looking forward to it.”

Herrick is eager to work with students and the local community as Health Sciences AUH. “I’ve really come to love the profession,” said Herrick. “I love what we do and how we interact with students.”

Herrick hopes to collaborate with the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services, a part of CHBS that connects students and faculty to local communities in social and clinical services.

“My research looks at how the microvascular structure is disrupted in folks with sleep apnea and how it affects their ability to do exercise,” said Herrick. “I’ve done a lot of older adult exercise and physical activity programming, and I’d like to connect with IIHHS and see how I could a similar sort of community-based programming where we help with lifestyle change of older adults.”

“The Health Sciences department and their programs seem great,” said Herrick. “They serve such a wide group of student interests and I’m excited to learn and be a part of that and work with our faculty.”