About

The HHD Department is one of the oldest and largest professional programs at Western. There are currently over 450 undergraduate and 12 graduate students enrolled in the three programs; Kinesiology and Physical Education, Recreation Management and Leadership and Public Health. The department is housed in the recently renovated Carver Academic facility, along with its Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology Labs, Anatomy Lab, Lou Parberry Fitness Center, offices, classrooms and athletic facilities.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Health and Human Development is to educate individuals to improve personal and community wellness and quality of life through human movement, health and leisure experiences.

Impact

Your donations allow us to offer these types of experiences for our students:

• Our sports psychology graduate students accompanied faculty to the 2024 Pacific Northwest Student Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium in Pullman this year. This opportunity fosters personalized learning and interaction between students and prominent professionals in the field of sport and exercise psychology. Our students presented proposed research and discussed current issues with professionals in the field. 
• We sent Physical Education and Health majors to the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) national conference in Seattle. SHAPE America envisions a nation where all children are prepared to lead healthy, physically active lives. Students were able to network and exchange ideas, attend educational sessions and forge new relationships with professionals from across the country. Donations help provide financial support for students, including covering travel costs, purchasing membership and registration fees and much more.
• Every December, thanks to your generosity, Recreation Management and Leadership is able to honor their graduating seniors with a catered awards ceremony: the Senior Celebration. This event provides a special opportunity for students to gather and be recognized for their achievements in front of peers, family, friends and faculty and staff. The event also provides the opportunity to highlight and honor important community partnerships (this year’s Community Partner Award went to the Makah Cultural and Research Center!).
• Donations also go towards funding the Summer Legacy Scholarship.  This scholarship helps to offset the costs associated with Recreation Management and Leadership student internships. Internships are an integral part of the Recreation Management and Leadership major. They give students the opportunity to go out into the field and put into practice what they have learned in the classroom.
• The Public Health junior cohort hosted an exciting Public Health Fair with elementary school students on campus visit day for Compass2Campus and we are looking forward to doing it again next year. As we grow and expand we are constantly looking for support to help our students apply their knowledge in the community and on campus. Give Day donations help to provide materials and support for community engagement, which facilitate partnerships between students and the community and provide invaluable professional experiences.

Department Goals

The goal of the department is excellence in teaching, research and service. All programs:

• Provide professional preparation based on a foundation of liberal education.
• Provide intellectually challenging programs of study through a variety of teaching techniques, including active student involvement in the learning process, practica, service learning, and participation in faculty research.
• Provide instruction that enables students to communicate effectively, think critically and creatively, and work cooperatively.
• Provide academic advisement that assists students in achieving their academic and professional goals.
• Prepare students to be competent and ethical professionals who model a commitment to lifelong learning and healthy living.
• Prepare students to be stewards of environments that promote healthy living and quality of life.
• Prepare students to live and work in a culturally diverse society.

Your contribution will help students in these HHD programs

_{Undergraduate Degrees:}

• Kinesiology
• Public Health (formerly Community Health)
• Physical Education and Health P-12
• Recreation Management and Leadership

_{Graduate Degree: Master of Science in Kinesiology}

• Exercise Science
• Sport & Exercise Psychology
  
  

Learn more about our programs here:

https://chss.wwu.edu/health-human-development/health-and-human-development-newsletter

Photo Descriptions:

• Recreation Management and Leadership (RML) graduates 2022
• Public Health Students with elementary school students at Compass2Campus event 2024
• RML majors and disabled community campers at student-run Camp TEAM 2024
• Public Health seniors with professors Ying Li, Steve Bennett and Mary hunt at the 2024 Senior Luncheon
• Kinesiology majors with Professor Harsh Buddhadev - biomechanics of cycling analysis in the lab
• Celebrating graduation!