September 1, 2024
Dean Smith Shares Focus for the Academic Year
We start the 2024-25 academic year with strong momentum and much excitement for growing our impact on communities in Utah and beyond. This summer we celebrated the grand opening of our Emma Eccles Jones Advanced Nursing Education Suite, our Endowed Deanship, and many student and faculty successes that showcase the excellence of our College. We laid the groundwork for offering over a dozen new certificate programs that will be available to students this year and have launched an institutional initiative on educational and health disparities. The disparities initiative is bringing together expertise from across campus and is tied to a number of faculty hires that will allow us to expand and enrich our academic programming, create new opportunities for community engagement, and build upon our enviable research contributions and funding profile. Not content to rest on our laurels, we will continue to pursue initiatives and innovations that help individuals, families, and communities reach their full potential. To our students, staff, and faculty, welcome back! I wish you every success this academic year. To our alumni, partners, and friends, please accept our gratitude for your critical role in our achievements. And, to those of you just learning about our College, we invite you to join us in our work to enrich lives.
Research & News
Renowned Researcher on Aging JoAnn Tschanz Named Endowed Chair of Human Services in CEHS
JoAnn Tschanz, clinical neuropsychologist and professor in the Department of Psychology at USU, has been named Endowed Chair of Human Services. The endowment is awarded to nationally recognized scholars to amplify their productivity and impact, foster a vibrant and expanding scholarly culture within the college, and bring national attention to CEHS.
CEHS Professors Colby Tofel-Grehl and Stephanie Borrie Named Inaugural Dean’s Scholars
Dean Al Smith recently announced two Dean’s Scholars, professors Colby Tofel-Grehl and Stephanie Borrie. Tofel-Grehl has been involved for the past several years in National Science Foundation grants working with rural schools in Hawaii and Utah. Borrie has received multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health. Her recent work focuses on finding ways to improve conversations for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Undergrads Receive Robust Opportunities to Thrive in Nationally Funded Research Projects
The annual university-sponsored Undergraduate Research Fair was held in early September. The event enabled students to engage with possible mentors and apply for a myriad of open research positions at USU. Creating undergraduate research opportunities has been a priority for both university and college leadership for the past fifty years.
National Expert on Siblings, Professor, and CEHS Associate Dean Shawn Whiteman Provides Perspective on Sibling Rivalry
Understanding the underlying causes of sibling rivalry can help parents navigate the best strategies to manage it. Shawn Whiteman, sibling expert and professor in Human Development and Family Studies at USU, weighs in on the matter in this Ask the Expert segment.