Mission, Vision, Values

The Health and Human Performance Department prepares students for meaningful careers that serve essential community needs at the intersection of health, education, and human development. We offer unique, accessible programs that combine academic excellence with experiential learning, creating professionals who solve complex interdisciplinary problems while supporting vulnerable populations and promoting health equity.

To be a nationally recognized leader in health and human performance education, preparing servant leaders who transform community health outcomes through innovative, student-centered learning experiences that foster lifelong professional success and meaningful engagement with the communities they serve.

Professional Competence

Mastery of the discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions required to excel in health and human performance careers and make immediate, meaningful contributions to the communities we serve. This encompasses technical expertise, ethical practice, effective communication, and the ability to navigate complex professional environments. We prepare graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also capable, confident, and ready to meet the evolving demands of their chosen fields from day one.

Experiential Learning

Learning through direct experience, reflection, and active engagement with authentic challenges and real-world settings. In our programs, students move beyond traditional classroom instruction to apply their knowledge in community organizations, clinical environments, schools, and other professional contexts. This hands-on approach develops practical competencies, professional confidence, and the ability to adapt theoretical knowledge to complex, real-world situations that our graduates will encounter throughout their careers.                          

Interdisciplinary Evidence Based Practice

The ability to integrate insights, methods, and perspectives from multiple fields to address the complex, multifaceted challenges at the intersection of health, education, and human development. We recognize that today's health and community challenges cannot be solved from a single disciplinary perspective. Our programs cultivate graduates who can bridge traditional boundaries, collaborate across professions, draw from diverse knowledge bases, and develop innovative solutions that reflect the interconnected nature of human health and wellbeing.          

Student Centeredness

Designing all programs, policies, and practices with student learning, growth, and success as the primary consideration. We create accessible, personalized educational experiences tailored to individual needs and career aspirations, actively listen to student voices, remove barriers to success, and ensure every decision advances students' meaningful career preparation and lifelong professional development.