College of Health and Human Performance Alignment Plan Overview

The College of Health and Human Performance is comprised of eight units (Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, Health Education and Promotion, Human Development and Family Science, Interior Design and Merchandising, Kinesiology, Recreation Sciences, and Social Work). Our community of scholars utilizes interdisciplinary approaches to understand and improve the human condition, train professionals to provide healthcare and human services, and make a positive impact on the quality of life of those we serve. We offer 12 undergraduate and 8 graduate degree programs, as well as 11 minors, 9 certificate programs, and other academic credentials. Our programs are staffed by award-winning faculty and delivered in spaces that promote collaboration and innovation.

Mission

We serve our region by providing transformative opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and communities through professional training, innovative and community-engaged scholarship, as well as collaborative services that promote holistic health and well-being.

Vision

We believe health is multidimensional and impacted at the individual and societal level. We address health at participant, program, and environmental pathways through developing innovative health interventions, promoting health and quality of life, and enhancing social mobility through leadership training and service.

Summary of Unit Strategies

M1.1.1: Increase faculty usage of an early alert system in all sections of 1000/2000/3000-level courses.

M1.1.2: HHP will develop and implement standardized routine reporting on equity gaps within the colleges’ programs to provide targeted initiatives to support student persistence in educational programs and improve graduation rates.

M1.2.1: HHP will submit and obtain external funding for undergraduate training programs that support experiential learning (e.g., AmeriCorps, HRSA training programs, NIH R25, or NSF REUs).

M1.2.2: Expand access to study abroad, participation in virtual exchange programs, and study away programs (e.g., Super Bowl Event Management, Great Smokey Mountains Outdoor Recreation Leadership “study away” courses with timing and structure developed in partnership with community/industry).

M2.1.1: HHP will increase the reach and/or amount of external sponsorship to support community engagement activities that align with health, well-being, and/or quality of life for the region.

M3.1.1: HHP will increase input from potential employers on our curriculum.

M3.1.2: HHP will increase educational opportunities resulting in market-driven credentials.

V1.1.1: HHP will increase the completion rates of students that separated from the university prior to graduation with the development of an HHP completion program.

V1.1.2: HHP will identify opportunities for articulation agreements within the NC Community College system and degree completion mapping for specific academic programs.

V1.2.1: HHP will improve the quality of online instruction by utilizing Quality Matters standards.

V2.2.1: HHP will foster the college’s culture of care, belonging, and opportunity through programming offered by the related committees in the units and college.

V3.1.1: HHP will prepare students to serve a rural population by requiring curriculum-based educational opportunities that relate to the issues of rural populations (e.g., health disparities, transportation barriers, isolation, recreation programs, social services, infrastructure, built environments).

Brief Targeted Narrative

By pursuing the unit strategies listed above, The College of Health and Human Performance (HHP) will continue to be an important contributor to the achievement of university priorities committed to in “Future Focused, Innovation Driven,” ECU’s strategic plan. HHP delivers a transformative education for a wide variety of learners. We are committed to the holistic development of professionals that educate and motivate individuals, groups, and communities to enhance health and well-being from the cellular level to all levels of society.

In HHP, you are provided with resources and opportunities that allow you to pursue your purpose and become the professional and community member the world needs now and in the future. This includes expanding practices such as undergraduate research, fieldwork (practicum, internship), service-learning, community-based learning, and study abroad programs (#TheHHPExperience) and consistently reviewing curriculum. By engaging students in these activities, the college aims to deepen their understanding of real-world challenges and enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

The educational experiences we provide will involve interaction with top-notch professionals and organizations, compelling alumni mentorship programs, and rigorous career development activities tailored to the specific needs of each discipline within the college.

HHP’s plan emphasizes the integration of practical skills development, career exploration, and professional networking opportunities throughout the academic journey. Experiential learning is the signature pedagogy in our disciplines, and our activities will increasingly include dynamic approaches to community and corporate partnerships. Whether through clinical rotations, field placements, simulations, or community-based projects, the college is committed to providing hands-on learning opportunities that bridge theory and practice and are responsive to industry demand and societal needs. The experiential learning opportunities provided will not only enhance students’ professional skills and confidence but also cultivate empathy, cultural competence, and ethical decision-making.

Recognizing the importance of giving back to the community, the plan emphasizes public service and civic engagement. HHP encourages students, faculty, and staff to actively participate in volunteer activities, community outreach initiatives, and advocacy efforts aimed at addressing societal challenges. By fostering a culture of service, we ensure that our graduates have a sense of social responsibility and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

Embracing a culture of innovation and transformation is also critical for staying at the forefront of advancements in health, human services, and human performance. HHP’s plan promotes creativity, experimentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration as catalysts for driving positive change and addressing emerging needs and opportunities. This may involve supporting faculty research projects, incubating entrepreneurial ventures, and leveraging technology to enhance teaching, learning, and service delivery.

Our success depends on communication and coordination, and thus systematic review of structures and processes are also featured in our plan. Finally, our strategies demonstrate our acknowledgement that best practices must be scaled and supported such that they are accessible to everyone associated with the HHP family.

Contact Assistant Dean Susannah Berry with questions or opportunities to collaborate.