Health and Behavioral Studies News

Graduate Psychology presents at AALHE conference

Professor Sara Finney and two graduate psychology students presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE)

Graduate psychology attends annual APS meeting

Faculty and students from the Assessment and Measurement PhD program and Psychological Sciences MA program attended and presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Sciences

Occupational Therapy - Alumna Q&A with Savanah Howe

My peers and faculty filled me with an energy and passion for profession of OT, both in its current state and all of the future possibilities it holds.

Audiology student completes research funded by a grant

Third-year audiology graduate student Erin Hernon was selected as a grant recipient for her research on the vestibular system.

Freshman health sciences student raises Alzheimer's awareness

Freshman Health Sciences major Emma Howell became passionate about raising awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease after growing up with a grandmother who had dementia.,

JMU Nursing participates in national challenge to educate on climate change 

JMU’s School of Nursing has recently joined the Nurses Climate Challenge and aims to work towards the program’s goal of educating others about the effects climate change has on public health.    

Increasing awareness about aphasia

Aphasia expert, Jaime Lee, a professor of communication sciences and disorders, fills in some gaps in media coverage and offers valuable insights into aphasia and the support available.  

Assessment & Measurement students and faculty attend AERA and NCME

These conferences provide a wonderful opportunity to learn and engage with leaders in the field while connecting with alumni and other colleagues.

Girls Have H.E.A.R.T. program builds fitness and self-esteem

Girls Have H.E.A.R.T. is a Morrison Bruce Center program that focuses on teaching young girls how to have fun while exercising and developing a more positive self-concept.

FYRE program pairs students with faculty research mentors

The First Year Research Experience (FYRE) program at JMU is aimed towards freshmen and transfer students and allows them a chance to partner with a faculty member for a mentored research project.

Beating the odds

After being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, Leah Evert ('03) took matters into her hands.

Migrant education program partners with JMU Civic to educate about food insecurity

SVMEP and JMU Civic hosted a panel discussion after a viewing of the documentary Food Chains, which is about a small tomato picking community in Immokalee, Florida.

Dietetics students bring cooking lessons to local children

Dietetics professors Michelle Hesse and Jennifer Walsh and students from their junior and senior level nutrition classes have been partnering with the Explore More Discovery Museum to educate children about nutrition.  

Nursing pilots peer mentorship program

Nursing professors Christina Lam and Betsy Herron have created a peer mentorship program where newly admitted nursing students are supported by students already in the program.  

Male nursing students and alumni share their stories

Nursing is a field that is often associated with females, but men in the field are trying to change that presumption.

Be part of 'Dukes Say Hi'

After two years of social distancing measures and mask mandates, many of us feel disconnected. Let’s close the social distance between us by saying “hi” more often.

Introduction to Coaching class allows students to gain field experience 

As a new component of the coaching education minor, Lori Gano-Overway has started a partnership with Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation for her Introduction to Coaching class.

Paralympians educate on diversity and inclusion

Paralympians and Team USA wheelchair basketball players Serio and Trey Jenifer, retired Team USA sitting volleyball player Kari Miller Ortiz and three accomplished wheelchair basketball players visited JMU.

HSA student places in Stull Essay Competition

Senior Danielle Shapero placed third in the competition for her essay titled, “Resource Utilization Deficiencies Remain at the Epicenter and the United States’ Healthcare Crisis Fueled by the Spanish Flu and COVID-19.” 

2022 CHBS Mini-Grant Recipients Announced

Congratulations to the recipients of the recent mini-grant competition to support faculty development.

Assessment & Measurement PhD Students and Faculty Present at AAC&U Conference

Assessment and Measurement doctoral students present at the AAC&U’s conference on General Education, Pedagogy and Assessment in San Diego.

Nursing alumni open local healthcare clinics

Wanting to improve the state of healthcare today, nursing alumni Brandon Cunningham and Kasey Saunders have opened their own clinics with the hopes of providing services to the local community. 

IIHHS staffer selected for National Hispanic and Latino Executive Leadership and Fellowship Program

Futuro Latino Coalition coordinator Onesimo Baltazar Corona has been selected to participate.

Bridging the body, mind and soul

Alumni couple opens health and wellness clinic combining holistic and mainstream practices.

AT alumni selected for prestigious Steadman Clinic residency

Both alumni agree that their time at JMU prepared them for their residency at the Steadman Clinic. Mast said she does not think she would be where she is today in her career without the connections she made at JMU.

JMU aims to empower people with disabilities in rural communities through VBPD grant

The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) has awarded the Department of Kinesiology a $275,000 grant to assist rural communities.

Social Work students promote advocacy through social policy

Students in Yeom’s social policy and social work practice in macro systems classes are tasked with learning about racial, social, economic and environmental justice issues and how to advocate for them.

JMU professors receive Outstanding Faculty Awards

Lauren K. Alleyne, Erica Lewis win Outstanding Faculty Award

Health sciences alumna pursues physical therapy career

I am currently in my third year of PT school at Columbia University. While graduate school is a challenge, I have thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the field of physical therapy.

Health sciences professor invited to participate in obesity research program

Health sciences professor Santo Coleman was selected to be part of the OHD PRIDE Program - a two-year research training and mentoring program for faculty from underrepresented backgrounds.    

PHETE students honored with awards at 2021 VAHPERD convention

Kinesiology students, Hayden Bartley and Lanie Jo Knight, will be honored at the 2021 Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Convention.

Health sciences instructor makes kindness part of class

Kindness counts as participation credit in health sciences instructor Matt Lovesky’s sections of Health 100: Personal Wellness. 

Kinesiology professor invited to speak at university in Hong Kong

Cathy McKay has been invited to serve as a keynote speaker and two-week research consultant at the Education University of Hong Kong.

Dietetics student to receive the VAND Diversity Award

Dietetics student Yanine Pedrazas has been selected as the recipient of the VAND Diversity Professional Development Award. 

Clinical mental health counseling student wins scholarship

Caylyn Arbogast is the first winner of the BrightView Clinical Advancement Scholarship. The $1,000 award is designed to encourage students to work in the field of substance use disorder treatment upon graduation.

New faculty join the School of Nursing

New School of Nursing faculty are from all around the globe, have diverse backgrounds and each bring something unique to JMU.  

FNP student Beatriz Bautista shares her nursing journey

Before deciding to apply for FNP school, I reflected on the Hispanic healthcare providers in the community and felt intimidated that there is a low representation. This intimidation soon turned into motivation.

Dietetics grad serves in military and returns to JMU for grad school

“I love it, it’s exactly what I’ve always wanted to do,” Wagener said. “To come back to JMU and do what I’ve wanted to do professionally, it’s like dreams really do come true.”

JMU expert: College athletes increasingly open about mental health

Discussing mental health and how to cope with various stressors is becoming more common among college athletes says JMU expert Bob Harmison.