Health and Behavioral Studies News

Start 2021 with positive attitude, JMU researchers say

JMU psychology professors Ben Blankenship and Jaime Kurtz say there are a number of strategies to help make 2021 a positive year.

Program addresses sex ed for youth with disabilities

With a $2.87 million grant, the SexEdVA Program, part of IIHHS, will coordinate a network to address sex ed shortcomings for youth with disabilities.

Alumni Profile: social work alumna earns doctorate

Veronica Dillard ('10) reflects on her path leading to her doctoral degree including her time at JMU.

A chat with the CHBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Director

BJ Bryson will serve as the inaugural CHBS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Director. She will serve as the point person for DEI in cultivating a college climate that is inclusive and equitable.

Health sciences grad plans medical career in underserved area

Ian Roy (’19) is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at Tufts University. Upon graduation, Roy will be pursuing a medical degree through the innovative Maine Track Program.

New JMU brain research could help understand Autism causes

The National Institutes of Health grant will enable the student-driven research team to study early neural networks.

Publication makes case to build and evaluate ethical reasoning programming

ERiA is a powerful example of JMU meeting its ethical obligation to offer should-be-effective programming and then confirming that in fact the programming was effective and impacted students in meaningful ways.

Election fatigue is real; JMU expert offers coping mechanisms

Psychology professor Ben Blankenship discusses what triggers people’s emotions and ways they can cope during elections.

Psychology major completes internship focused on suicide prevention

Psychology major Nathaniel Gautier had the opportunity to participate in a new internship with the Campus Suicide Prevention Center of Virginia (CSPCV).

Psychology launches Summer Research Experience for Underrepresented Undergraduates (SREUU) program

The purpose of SREUU is to provide minority students with an opportunity to participate in faculty mentorship and gain practical research experience.

Health sciences alumna finds rewarding career path in epidemiology

Kat Topf (’19) is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at Emory University. She is also working at the Georgia Department of Public Health in support of their COVID-19 response.

Online SLP program reinvents clinical experiences

One month before students were scheduled to arrive on campus, it was very clear that an in-person clinic was not possible, so the program adapted.

Meet new CHBS Associate Dean - Kevin Apple

The College of Health and Behavioral Studies welcomes new Associate Dean, Kevin Apple

Meet new CHBS Associate Dean - Doug Hochstetler

The College of Health and Behavioral Studies welcomes new Associate Dean, Doug Hochstetler

COVID-19 in Perspective: Course covers the disease, and much more

Students enrolled in a special course are learning about COVID-19 from experts in chemistry; health; history; philosophy; and writing, rhetoric & technical communication.

Flu shots particularly important during COVID-19 pandemic

A flu shot will not protect against COVID-19, but getting one this season will help strengthen the immune system and could lessen the risk.

Director's Message - June 2020

I imagine that your hearts are as troubled as mine about the violence that is spreading across our country at this time.

Professor has advice for navigating summer vacation during pandemic

For people down about having to scrap or alter summer vacation plans, professor Jaime Kurtz has some advice that could help soothe the blues.

Health sciences alumna selected for prestigious fellowship

HS alumna Ansley Waters (’18) was selected for a prestigious applied epidemiology fellowship sponsored by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Gus Bus to motor through summer with online reading program

The Gus Bus will continue promoting reading online this summer by offering programming Monday through Thursday from mid-June through July.

Social work student donates prize money to local nonprofit

Sara Greenbaum's class blog entry was selected as a winner of funds from the Learning by Giving Foundation.

Baker uses educational leave to explore a new line of research

Suzanne Baker, psychology professor and assistant department head, took educational leave during the fall 2019 semester and used a research team composed of several psychology students to study attitudes towards animals.

Social work and psychology students make CareerTREK

JMU’s Career and Academic Planning (CAP) office hosted a CareerTREK for social work and psychology students to explore job opportunities in Fairfax County.

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

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.

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.