Health and Behavioral Studies News

CHBS Dean organizes PPE collection for healthcare workers

CHBS along with CSVP and CSM collected unused personal protective equipment to donate to local healthcare workers

JMU Gus Bus goes virtual to promote reading to Harrisonburg children

The coronavirus isn’t stopping the Gus Bus from promoting reading to Harrisonburg schoolchildren in grades K-5.

Ten Ways to Remain Kindred in Isolating Times

In light of the pandemic, students are currently no longer able to make these visits, and families are feeling this loss. Here is a list of ways to be socially supportive in healthy ways at this time.

Funds from Giving Day allow students to travel to conference

Funds from Giving Day allowed 16 health sciences students to attend the Virginia Public Health Association (VPHA) Annual Conference.

Giving Day provides opportunity for psychology students

Participation in Giving Day is an investment in JMU to help students excel by opening doors to research and professional development opportunities.

#CHBSChats with Nayeli Juarez

From the beginning of her college career, Nayeli Juarez has taken full advantage of opportunities related to her career goals and interests.

As youth sports leagues spring into action, caring climate is important

JMU professor Lori Gano-Overway recommends coaches focus on creating positive sport experiences for kids that teach physical skills and life skills.

Social work field placement demonstrates engaged learning

Corrisa Malat used her field placement experiences as the basis for an article published in The Field Educator.

Harrisonburg High students to experience Paralympic sports at JMU clinic

Paralympians Matt Simpson and Trevon Jenifer will take time off from their preparations for the 2020 Tokyo games to lead the activities

Stress relief, science of psychology come together

Jaime Kurtz, who researches strategies for happiness, is providing students strategies to handle stress while teaching them psychology.

Counseling student receives grant to attend professional conference

Graduate counseling student Melissa Kee received a full travel grant to attend the Heterodoxy in Psychology Conference and learn about discussing taboo subjects in the field.

Cutting through the noise about over-the-counter hearing aids

James Madison University researcher Ayasakanta Rout says the guidelines, when approved, will make hearing aids much more accessible.

Psychological sciences student wins Three Minute Thesis competition

Briana Craig wins JMU Graduate School’s Three Minute Thesis Competition with her simulation study research.

2020 CHBS Mini-Grant Recipients Announced

Congratulations to the recipients of the recent mini-grant competition to support faculty development.  Thank you to everyone who submitted a proposal.

OT alums publish study on girls' development through adventure-based sport

Jeanine Kaplan (’18M), Bailee Hubert (’16, ’18M) and professor Liz Richardson, had their findings from an 11-week study published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership.

I'm Determined project featured on TV-3

The 'I'm Determined' project, which is part of JMU's Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services and the Region 5 T/TAC, was featured on the local news.

CSD professor leads local practice

Professor Erin Kamarunas is an expert in swallowing and voice disorders, not only assisting others in recovery from difficult swallowing impairments, but supporting students on their journeys to practice.

#CHBSFacultyFocus with Ben Blankenship

#CHBSFacultyFocus with Ben Blankenship (Psychology) - Get to know CHBS faculty

CSD student uses ASL to assist with Healthy Families

Junior CSD major Ciara McMillin uses her American Sign Language skills to assist a hearing-impaired family for one of JMU’s IIHHS outreach programs, Healthy Families.

Research conference provides JMU attendees networking opportunity

The Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA) conference in October offered a chance for members of the JMU community from different backgrounds and programs to connect.

Nursing student selected for national FFA position

Recently, Tess Seibel was elected to serve as the Eastern Region Vice President for National FFA Organization —one of just six national positions in the organization of over 700,000 members.

Noftsinger named as BICSV executive director

Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley (BICSV) gladly welcomes Cindy Noftsinger as the new Executive Director.

Occupational therapy alumna recognized for success in field

Occupational therapy alumna Lauren Smith (’01) won the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association’s (VOTA) Award of Merit in 2019

Begin 2020 with positive, achievable goals

The time has come to start thinking about New Year's resolutions and ways to have a feel-good start to 2020.

Honors college accommodates nursing students

When fourth semester nursing student Elle Del Gallo was a freshman, she joined JMU’s Honors College for the additional academic opportunities it offered despite concerns about her ability to complete the requirements.

#CHBSChats with Danielle Valenti

#CHBSChats with Danielle Valenti (Coaching Education Minor/Psychology Major) - Our series of informal chats with students

Psychology student chosen to be a Madison Community Scholar

Junior psychology major Maria Castillo is taking advantage of every opportunity while in college and was recently named a Madison Community Scholar (MCS) for the 2019-20 school year.

CHBS faculty co-teach course on human trafficking

Nursing professor Erica Lewis and health sciences professor Katherine Ott Walter, are co-teaching a spring 2020 course through JMU X-Labs called, “Community Innovations: Addressing Human Trafficking.”

Health sciences student athlete excels athletically and academically

Kayla Connelly is a junior health sciences major with a pre-occupational therapy minor who doubles as a distance runner on JMU’s cross country and track team while maintaining exceptional grades.

Psychology student interns for Victim Witness Protection

Senior psychology major Riquoa Robinson spent 120 hours with Victim Witness Protection Program in Virginia’s Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney drawing connections between coursework and criminal justice realities.

#CHBSChats with Luke Vance

#CHBSChats with Luke Vance (Physician Assistant Program) - Our series of informal chats with students

William Evans receives Alger Family Faculty Endowment Award

The Alger award is given to one faculty member each year to recognize their achievement in engaged learning, civic engagement, and community engagement.

Wellness coalition promotes inclusiveness

The Shenandoah Valley Inclusive Wellness Coalition brings JMU personnel together with other professionals in the area to assist in developing wellness programs catering to individuals with disabilities.

VPAS and IIHHS Host Conference for Valley Caregivers

“The Confident Caregiver: A Family Caregiver Conference” held to recognize the contributions and importance of family caregivers.

BICSV and JMU T/TAC Hold Conference on Substance Abuse and Brain Injury

BICSV and T/TAC at JMU are pleased to announce a Nov. 8, 2019 conference exploring "The Vicious Cycle: Brain Injury & Substance Use Disorders"

Healthy Families program manager receives Governor’s Honor Award

Yvonne Frazier was recently presented with the Governor’s Award for Enhancing the Prosperity and Quality of Life in Rural Virginia.

#CHBSFacultyFocus with Debbie Sturm

Graduate psychology professor Debbie Sturm lives among students in a campus residence hall

Julie Strunk becomes a Fellow in the AAN

Julie Strunk, a professor in the School of Nursing, recently received the designation of a Fellow in the AAN. Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) is one of the highest honors a nurse can achieve.

Lyons receives Provost’s Award for Excellence in Academic Advising

Lyons received this award in recognition of the quality of information, advice and support that she consistently and accessibly provides to her advisees. 

CSPA grad selected as ACPA Diamond Honoree

JMU alumna, V. Leilani Kupo, has been selected as part of the Class of 2020 ACPA Diamond Honorees.

Occupational therapy alumna prepares students for advocacy

In September, students from JMU’s occupational therapy (OT) program had the opportunity to meet with elected officials and advocate for their profession during Capitol Hill Day.

Gus Bus students conduct video interview with NASA engineer

Students are learning to use the engineering design process to develop solutions to real-world problems faced by experts at NASA.

Psyc student completes prestigious internship

Junior psychology major Mallory Jungles completed a prestigious internship with the Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California’s (USC) premiere lab for social and emotional neuroscience.

Debbie Sturm helps launch climate crisis mental health task force

Through the American Counseling Association (ACA), graduate psychology professor Debbie Sturm is part of an effort to help counselors address the mental health impact of the climate crisis.

#CHBSChats with Tara Riley

#CHBSChats with Tara Riley (Health Sciences) - Our series of informal chats with students

Veterans find new opportunities for service in PA program

Two students in JMU’s Physician Assistant (PA) program use their military experience to guide their studies and career plans.

Treating the community

UPCARE Scholars are learning about chronic disease management, preventive care and hospital transition management in a rural setting.

National association recognizes JMU doctoral student

International student Ph.D. candidate Lakshmi Magudilu Srishyla Kumar has received two awards from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) this year.

Psychology student’s field placement becomes post-graduation job

JMU alumna Haley Brill (’18) completed her field placement in fall 2018, and is currently working as a surveillance officer with the Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC).

Combining her loves

Karah Nazor (’99) is a Teacher at Sea participant who has swum the English Channel.

Psychology learning community hosts reunion during homecoming

Paul Pohto (’14) was part of the PLC during his time at JMU and came up with the idea to host a PLC Reunion during Homecoming weekend.

#CHBSChats with Anna Cantalina

#CHBSChats with Anna Cantalina (Communication Sciences and Disorders) - Our series of informal chats with students

Eat up during the holidays, but keep an eye on nutrition

Overindulging can be hard to resist, but there are ways to enjoy holiday eating and still maintain a healthy diet.

JMU School of Nursing to grow, address catch-22 situation

Starting in January, the program will admit 23 additional students each semester for a cohort of 113, a 25 percent increase.

Paynter uses analysis, creativity and precision to tell a story

Distinguished alumna Sarah Paynter (’17) has made the most of her experiences since leaving JMU, demonstrating what it means to follow a passion and contribute to the world.

#CHBSChats with Alvin Osorio

#CHBSChats with Alvin Osorio (Kinesiology) - Our series of informal chats with students

Inter-professional study abroad in Rwanda

Seven communication sciences and disorders (CSD) and two social work students traveled to Rwanda to complete a cross-cultural comparison of service delivery to at-risk infants in both the U.S. and Rwanda.

CHBS welcomes new associate dean and director of IIHHS

JMU welcomes professor Linda Plitt Donaldson to the College of Health and Behavioral Studies (CHBS) as Associate Dean of CHBS and Director of the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services (IIHHS).

Interprofessional group receives grant for youth programming

Funding will provide weekly programming and a summer day camp for youth from underserved populations by pairing youth who are at risk with youth with disabilities who will be co-mentored by JMU students.

Psychology students build new skills as RBTs

Over the summer, psychology students Paige Casey and Kyle Cooper had the chance to work with Continuum Autism Spectrum Alliance as Registered Behavior Technicians.

#CHBSChats with Shay Lumpkin

#CHBSChats with Shay Lumpkin (Psychology) - Our series of informal chats with students

Students enhance their healthcare education through AHEC Scholars Program

In the effort to transform healthcare in the state, the AHEC (Area Health Education Center) Scholars program gives students in health-related majors additional training.

Kinesiology welcomes Maureen Pfahler

With 12 years of teaching experience, Maureen Pfahler (’06) returns to her alma mater as a kinesiology instructor and acting director of Empowerment3.

#CHBSFacultyFocus with Suzanne Grossman

#CHBSFacultyFocus with Suzanne Grossman (Health Sciences) - Get to know CHBS faculty

Psychology welcomes new faculty

Psychology welcomes Giselle Hendy and Ben Blankenship.

Engagement mini grant funds training for cohort

When Carlie Madsen, a student in the online MS-SLP program, found the application for the engagement mini grants offered by the SGA, she knew that it was an opportunity she couldn’t resist.

JMU expert busts flu myths

James Madison University researcher Audrey Burnett recommends getting a flu shot soon as it take a couple weeks for the vaccine to take effect.

Psychology alumnus appointed Vice Chancellor of HR at Minnesota State

Psychology alumnus Eric Davis (’92) served in the Air Force, worked as Chief of Staff at the Minnesota DOT and currently serves as Vice Chancellor of HR at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Battling hopelessness in Hurricane Dorian's aftermath is key

While the physical trauma is easy to spot, other types of trauma are not so visible, says JMU Graduate Psychology Professor Lennie Echterling.

#CHBSChats with Katelin Curd & Jacqueline Billy

#CHBSChats with Katelin Curd and Jacqueline Billy (School Psychology) - Our series of informal chats with students

Inclusive recreation in action

On February 21, more than 200 students participated in Paralympic Skill Lab (PSL) where they learned to play wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and goalball alongside Paralympic and other distinguished athletes.

#CHBSChats with Cam Sutton

#CHBSChats with Cam Sutton (Kinesiology) - Our series of informal chats with students