College of Education, Health, & Human Sciences

Enhancing quality of life through research, outreach, and practice

The mission of The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences is "To promote a healthy, educated, and civil society; to encourage life-long learning; and to enhance the quality of life within the diverse, global community by preparing professionals to lead and serve by conducting research and by engaging in service and outreach activities."

If you would like to be involved in the most important work in society, consider a career in education, health or the human sciences. If you want to have fun doing it, come to the University of Tennessee!

Good News

NEW! Applied Educational Psychology Distance Education Master’s online Masters degree program

January 17, 2012 - The Educational Psychology & Counseling Department is pleased to announce that it is now admitting students in the 36 hour, accredited Applied Educational Psychology Distance Education Master’s degree program. AEP/DE is designed for pursuing or furthering professional careers as k-12 teachers, instructors in community colleges, literacy education programs, correctional education, and related areas. The program may also be used as a stepping stone to doctoral study in educational psychology, school psychology, and other areas. Our primary focus is on concepts, principles, techniques, and models of educational psychology as they are used to facilitate teaching and learning and the creation of effective classroom environments for learners of all ages. The program can be completed by taking online courses presented in a learner-centered, collaborative format.

Online courses are taught by faculty with esteemed national and international reputations in online classrooms that are learner-centered and collaborative. It is possible to take some courses on-campus with advisor approval. The program does require an on-campus orientation session when beginning the first fall semester and an on-campus capstone experience at the conclusion of the program.

Prospective students must hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college; have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and have career goals that are a good match with program goals. If you are interested in applying for the Applied Educational Psychology Distance Education Program and would like more information please contact Scott Ellison at bellison@utk.edu.

UTK Awarded $2.3 Million Grant to Help Low-income Adults in TN, GA, NC Pursue Higher Education

October 19, 2011 - Low-income adults in Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina’s rural areas will now have greater access to postsecondary education, thanks to a federal grant recently awarded to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

UT’s Educational Opportunity Center has received a five-year, $2.3 million competitive grant from the US Department of Education. The center is housed in UT’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences.
More details about this exciting announcement.

Camp Koinonia receives support from Variety – The Children’s Charity and Allison and Derek Dooley

September 23, 2011 - Camp Koinonia is one of the organizations receiving generous support from Variety – The Children’s Charity. Derek and Allison Dooley partnered with Variety to raise $220,000 tosupport local charities aimed at enhancing the lives of young people living in our local communities.

Camp Koinonia (Coin-o-nia), founded by Dr. Gene Hayes in 1977, is a week-long camp held each year, providing recreational activities for children with special needs. This residential camping program strives to enhance the lives of children with disabilities who attend. Recreational activities are adapted to the needs of the children and include horseback riding, boating, arts and crafts, etc. The camp is staffed by UT students, who benefit from receiving a wonderful hands-on learning experience. Therapeutic Recreation students and faculty, whose academic home is the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sports Studies, are responsible for all the planning and delivery of services during camp week. It is a year-round effort to make Camp Koinonia possible. The generous donation from Variety and Allison and Derek Dooley will give children in need a chance to participate in this exceptional recreational opportunity.

More information on this event.

For more information on Camp Koinonia, contact Dr. Gene Hayes (ghayes1@utk.edu).

Amy Skinner Honored at YWCA Annual Tribute to Women

On August 18, 2011, the YWCA held its 27th annual Tribute to Women Event. Dr. Amy L. Skinner, Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Tennessee, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences was one of two selected for the Equality honor.
(Read more)

Dr. Marianne Woodside honored as a UT Quest "Scholar of the Week"

Dr. Woodside is a professor and the Counselor Education Program Coordinator in the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling. More details here.

2011 Educators Hall of Honor Inductees Announced

On March 24, 2011, five educators and one organization were inducted into the Educators Hall of Honor. Click here to meet the inductees.

2011-2012 Graduate School Fellowships

The following university fellowship programs are made available by designated endowments and have funded 45 fellows, of which six have originated from within our college.

The J. Wallace and Katie Dean Fellowships (designated for entering students who show outstanding academic promise) has been awarded to Kevin A. Becker, Ph.D., Kinesiology & Sport Studies; Jennifer R. Newsome, Ph.D., School Psychology; and Lisa S. Silverman, Ph.D., Child & Family Studies

The Seaton Fellowship (designated for an entering student who shows outstanding academic promise) has been awarded to Matthew R. Goff, Ph.D., Nutrition

The Shipley-Swann Fellowship (designated to recognize outstanding academic achievement) has been awarded to Audrey J. Kasting, M.S., Educational Psychology & Counseling

The Yates Dissertation Fellowship (designated to recognize and support an outstanding doctoral student during the dissertation process) has been awarded to Robert E. Heidel, Ph.D., Counselor Education

College of Education, Health and Human Sciences Reaches its $1 Million Goal to Help Future Educators

On Feb. 15, 2010, the anonymous donor offered to give $1 million in memory of the late J. Clayton Arnold if the college could bring in another $1 million in contributions by the end of 2010. The college met that goal on Dec. 31.

The college collected 270 individual gifts totaling $1,060,919.

The money will provide financial assistance to student who wish to become educators. UT has the only teacher preparation program in the state that requires its students to complete a full-year internship. Students say the internship program is important because it enables them to develop teaching and classroom management skills not possible within a shorter time frame.

The J. Clayton Arnold Challenge was named in honor of a rural mail carrier in Williamson County who began providing financial assistance to students studying to be teachers in 1965. Arnold earned only $60 per month and never attended college, but he invested wisely during his 95 years. Those investments allowed him to give UT Knoxville its first million-dollar gift.

Arnold also challenged UT alumni to contribute to his efforts, and, over the years, that has resulted in large gains to the university's annual giving program. In 2010, 28 teacher education interns received a J. Clayton Arnold Scholarship.

"The recent J. Clayton Arnold Challenge invited others to build upon the groundwork laid by Mr. Arnold," said Bob Rider, dean of the college. "Investing in future educators makes an impact that will last beyond a lifetime. Mr. Arnold believed this. Our donor believes it — and so do the many people who gave generously to help us meet this $1 million challenge."

Open Invite - "A Conversation With Dean Bob Rider"

The CEHHS College Senate is pleased to announce open invitations to attend "A Conversation With Dean Bob Rider" on Wednesday March 23 2011 (3:00pm - 4:30pm) in the Shiloh Room at the University Center.

Dr. Lynn Cagle 2010 Retirement Ceremony

A retirement reception in honor of Dr. Lynn C. Cagle was held on December 8, 2011 at the UT Visitors Center. Dr. Cagle retired after 38 years of service to the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. Many friends and colleagues from the university as well as representatives from Knox County and the State of Tennessee attended the reception. View Image Gallery

 

Two Educational Psychology and Counseling projects receive 2010 Academic Outreach and Engagement Incentive Grants

Two Educational Psychology and Counseling projects received a 2010 Academic Outreach and Engagement Incentive Grant awarded by the University of Tennessee Academic Outreach and Engagement Council. Projects awarded were “Orientation Guides to Public School for Families with Refugee Status,” a project directed by Dr. Allison Anders, and “Research to Successfully Expand Services Provided to Children in the Community Coping with Grief, Loss or Trauma,” a project directed by Dr. Tricia McClam who coordinates the Grief Outreach Initiative in CEHHS and Mary Alice Varga, Graduate Assistant for the Grief Outreach Initiative. Full Story

UT, Partners Receive $2.8 Million Grant for Teacher Residency Program

KNOXVILLE -- TEACH/Here, an innovative teacher residency initiative through which the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is helping to prepare highly skilled math and science teachers for hard-to-fill positions in Knox and Hamilton county schools, has received $2.8 million from the National Science Foundation through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program.

UT College of Education, Health and Human Sciences Dean Bob Rider, Knox County Schools Superintendent Jim McIntrye, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Jim Scales and Public Education Foundation Board Chair Jim Hall gathered in Knoxville on Friday to celebrate receiving the grant and pending completion of the agreement formalizing the TEACH/Here partnership.

Although the official paperwork is just now being completed, TEACH/Here has been up and running since July. The first group of 17 aspiring math and science teachers are currently working with mentor teachers in Knox and Hamilton County schools. Full Story

 

Thankful for Each Other: UT Students Share Sport, Exercise with Iraqi Refugees

KNOXVILLE -- On Saturday, a group of Iraqi refugees and a group of undergraduates from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will sit down to a Thanksgiving feast and talk about what they're thankful for.

Chances are, they will give thanks for what they've learned from each other.

Fifteen undergraduates, all kinesiology or recreation and sport management majors, spent this semester in a first-of-its-kind service learning class sponsored by the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport Studies in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. The course is taught by Adjunct Professor Sarah Hillyer and doctoral student Ashleigh Huffman, director and assistant director of Sport 4 Peace (http://www.sport4peace.org ). Full Story

CEHHS at AAACE

Several students, alumni, and faculty from the Adult Learning program (Dept. of Educational Psychology and Counseling) recently attended the annual American Association for Adult and Continuing Education Conference in Clearwater Beach, FL. The following is a list of presentations made by these participants:

Carrie Bailey & Amelia Davis.  We're There To Care for Them as a Whole: Implementation of an Arts-based Clinical Nursing Curriculum

Jeffrey Beard, Lila Holt, & Debra Lee.  Participatory Learning for the Digital Workforce

Ralph Brockett.  Self-Directed Learning: An Updated Model A new model of self-directed learning is presented.

Vickie Dieffenderfer & Debra Wood.  What does adult training have in common with sports training? Introducing the ADVISER model.

Stephen Frye & Shannon Collins. Challenging Beliefs: A Study of Writing Institute Participants and Their Learning Experiences

Lila Holt & Jeffrey Beard. Computational Thinking? Not just for Computer Scientists: Implications for problem solving in Adult Education

Jeral Kirwan & Jeffrey Beard.  The Processual Instructor Development Model: A Dynamic Model of Teaching and Learning.

John Peters & Jonathan Taylor.  Action Research on Collaborative Learning: A Metasynthesis of Findings.

Rebecca Smeltzer, Jonathan Taylor, & Ralph Brockett.   Ethical Considerations of Mitigating Learning Resistance in Adult Learners

Jonathan Taylor. Learning Resistance in a Mandatory Workplace Context: Validation of a Resistance Inventory

Thelma Woodard.  Four Proficiencies Model for Teaching and Learning Reflective Practice

Step to it: Tennessee researcher encourages Americans to walk 10,000 steps a day

Everybody, walk your body. Everybody, walk.

That's the message from a University of Tennessee researcher who's found that American adults take fewer steps than their counterparts in some other countries.In a recently published study, David R. Bassett Jr. and fellow researchers estimate that American adults take more than 5,000 steps a day on average.But adults in Japan average more than 7,000 steps a day, and adults in both Western Australia and Switzerland average more than 9,600 steps a day. Those other countries also have better obesity rates than the United States, said Bassett, co-director of the University of Tennessee Obesity Research Center."It's not a perfect correlation," said Bassett, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport Studies at UT in Knoxville. But "certainly, we think that one of the reasons that people in the United States are heavier is that they walk less than people in other countries. Full Story

David Bassett and Dixie Thompson named as Fellows of the National Academy of Kinesiology

Champaign, Illinois—The National Academy of Kinesiology is pleased to announce the recent induction of its newest Fellows at its 80th annual meeting, held October 7-9, 2010, in Williamsburg, VA. Eight U.S. and two international scholars were inducted during a special banquet and ceremony held on the last evening of the conference. Professors Dixie Thompson and David Bassett from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville were among those inducted into the National Academy of Kinesiology.

The National Academy of Kinesiology is an honorary organization composed of Fellows who have made significant and sustained contributions to the field of kinesiology through scholarship and professional service. The dual purpose of the National Academy of Kinesiology is to encourage and promote the study and educational applications of the art and science of human movement and physical activity and to honor by election to Fellow those individuals who have contributed significantly to this purpose. Fellows in the National Academy of Kinesiology reflect a “who’s who” of eminent scholars in the field.

Dr. Bassett is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies.  His area of expertise is exercise physiology.  Much of Dr. Bassett’s research focuses on developing tools and techniques that allow physical activity energy expenditure to be objectively monitored.  Dr. Bassett’s research has been funded by various agencies including the National Institutes of Health.  Dr. Bassett is a fellow and a Board of Trustees member of the American College of Sports Medicine.  He has served as a member of the science advisory board of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.  He is co-director of UTK’s Obesity Research Center.

Dr. Thompson is a professor and head of the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies.  Her area of expertise is exercise physiology.  Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on the link between physical activity and health.  She is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, is Editor-in-Chief of the Fit Society Page Newsletter, and is Associate Editor-in-Chief for ACSM’s Health and Fitness Journal.  Dr. Thompson is a past president of the Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine and past chair of Physical Fitness Council of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

For additional information on the National Academy of Kinesiology (formerly the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, AAKPE), refer to the academy’s website at www.aakpe.org or call the Business Office at (217) 403-7545.

Postsecondary Education Opportunities for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism to be Offered on the UTK Campus

The University of Tennessee's Center for Literacy
Studies, Connections for Disability and Employment is one of 27
recipients across the United States to be awarded funding under the
Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities by the
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. Under
the direction of Liz Fussell, Connections for Disability and Employment;
Melinda Gibbons, Counselor Education in Educational Psychology and
Counseling; and David Cihak, Special Education in Theory and Practice in
Teacher Education; and in connection with the Korn Learning, Assessment,
and Social Skills (KLASS) Center, the Program will focus on academics
and instruction, social activities, employment experiences through
work-based learning and internships, and independent living. We are very
excited to expand our longstanding partnership with the University of
Tennessee Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, University
Center for Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). For more
information, contact Liz Fussell at lizfuss@utk.edu. Press release at:
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-secretary-education-duncan-announces-109-million-awards-under-new-programs-he

 

2010 College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Fall Convocation

2010 College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Fall Convocation held in the University Center Ballroom on Wednesday, September 22nd from 3:00 to 5:00. Those attending enjoyed good food and fellowship as we begin our new academic year and welcome our newest colleagues to our College family. Gallery Click Here

 

A gift donation from Ruby Falls

KNOXVILLE — The Center for Sustainable Business and Tourism (CSBT) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, recently received a generous gift from Ruby Falls to support sustainability efforts identified by the center.

"We are tremendously excited about participating in the UT Center for Sustainable Business and Tourism," Mr. Morrow, the president of Ruby Falls said. "Our donation is to help the center further advance its initiatives of providing operational solutions, improving quality of life, developing sustainable business models and promoting green tourism via interdisciplinary research, community collaboration, leadership and education."

"We sincerely welcome the newly established partnership with Ruby Falls," said Rachel Chen, CSBT director and associate professor in the Department of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management, the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. "I am very grateful for Ruby Falls' support and appreciate very much Mr. Morrow's vision and great efforts in the field of sustainability."

For the full article, Click Here

To learn more about the CSBT, visit Click Here. For more info on Ruby Falls, visit Click Here.

CONTACT: Rachel Chen, CSBT director (865-974-0505, rchen@utk.edu)

Grief Outreach Initiative

Dean Bob Rider, originator of the Grief Outreach Initiative, welcomed over 100 students, clergy, social workers, counselors, hospice workers, volunteers, and others who attended a one day workshop on "Children, Adolescents, Grief, and Trauma" on September 24 at the UT Visitors Center.

Dr. Ken Doka, well-known consultant, author, and professor, reviewed how concepts of death change throughout the life cycle and explored the ways children and adolescents experience loss. He also discussed strategies to assist children and adolescents, focusing particularly on the issues raised by traumatic loss. In addition to the UT Grief Outreach Initiative, other sponsors were Bereavement Services of East Tennessee, Berry Funeral Home, Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society, Mane Support, Mental Health Association of East Tennessee, and the Wellness Community.

 

UT's Steve Morse Honored by Southeast Tourism Society

KNOXVILLE -- Steve Morse, an expert in the economics of the travel and tourism industry, has received a special Shining Example Award from the chairman of the Southeast Tourism Society (STS), a professional association that promotes travel in a 12-state region.

Morse is director and economist of the Tourism Institute in the Department of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

"Steve is a talented academic who also understands the business workings of the tourism industry. He has developed a system that allows those who work in tourism to demonstrate to local officials and policymakers the economic impact tourism has on their communities," said Rob Varley, executive director of Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism and chairman of STS.

In presenting the award, Varley praised Morse's outreach and service to the tourism industry, noting that Morse also teaches at the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College, a development program for working professionals; leads webinars; and speaks to numerous tourism conferences.

Full Story

Looking for Home, is now available

Professor Emeritus Clint Allison's memoir, Looking for Home, is now available on Amazon.com either as a soft back or an e-book. He discusses with candor and humor his thirty-year UT College of Education career, his relations with students and faculty, his involvement in faculty governance, and his term as faculty senate president. Amazon Link

UT-Pellissippi State Culinary Arts Partnership is Recipe for Success

KNOXVILLE — Combine instructors and facilities from the Culinary Institute at the University of Tennessee with 46 students enrolled in the new concentration in culinary arts at Pellissippi State Community College….

And voila!

The result is what officials believe to be a first-of-its-kind partnership between a UT institution and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institution. Full Story

Hot! Hot! Hot! UT Culinary Institute Adds Hot Peppers to its Kitchen Garden

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Culinary Institute this summer added a new crop to its kitchen garden: bhut jolokia, a Thai pepper that is the hottest pepper in the world. Full Story

AmeriCorps Awards Grant for TEACH/Here, a UT Partnership Program

KNOXVILLE — TEACH/Here, an innovative teacher residency initiative through which the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is helping to prepare highly skilled math and science teachers for hard-to-fill positions in Knox and Hamilton county schools, has received a $154,000 grant to support training and stipends for participants. Full Story

UT’s Carol Costello is Tennessee Hospitality Educator of the Year

KNOXVILLE — Carol Costello, professor in the retail, hospitality and tourism management department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been named the 2010 Tennessee Hospitality Educator of the Year. Full Story

NEW! Department of Public Health

On June 24th, the Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the Department of Public Health (DPH) within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS). The effective start date for the new DPH is July 1, 2010. The building blocks for the DPH include the Programs in Public Health, currently housed in the Department of Nutrition, and the Center for Public Health in CEHHS. Paul Erwin, MD, DrPH, who has served as the Director of the Center for Public Health, will assume responsibilities as Department Head. The DPH is housed in the HPER building, suite 390. The main contact telephone number will be 974-5041, and email at phealth@utk.edu . The Department’s website should be available by July 1, accessible through the main CEHHS website.

For More Good News from CEHHS Click Here!