New title better defines College of Education and Health Professions research, professions

Written by Shambhu Sharan, The Shorthorn senior staff   

Thursday, 27 August 2009 09:00 PM

Information

College of Education and Health Professions Dean Jeanne Gerlach gave a list of new positions.

John Buckwalter, associate dean of research and graduate studies

Ann Cavallo, professional education associate dean

Carrie Ausbrooks, assessment associate dean

Patty Motlagh, testing, certification and student affairs assistant dean

Adrienne Hyle, educational leadership and policy studies chair

Louise Fincher, kinesiology chair

John Smith, curriculum and instruction chair

The College of Education changed its name to the College of Education and Health Professions to better represent the Kinesiology Department and increase recruitment.

Kinesiology is about improving human lives said Jeanne Gerlach, College of Education and Health Professions dean. The college now includes Kinesiology because graduates will go into a profession which is similar to education but focuses on the human body.

“It will not only recognize all the good work we are doing now, but the change will make it possible to grow in different directions,” Gerlach said. “It will help us recruit students who may want to enter the medical profession — physical therapists, athletic trainers and occupational therapists.”

Kinesiology chair Louise Fincher said her department wants to develop a new health education program, but it will take at least a year. The department has a greater ability to add health-related programs with the name change of the college, she said.

“It brings a lot of credibility to our students and departments to recognize our role in health care professions,” Fincher said. “The new name better reflects the Department of Kinesiology.”

She said she is excited about the name change which reflects her academic programs.

The majority of the academic kinesiology programs prepare students for carriers in health professions, Fincher said. The department is poised to help reach Tier One status.

“I would like to see kinesiology grow in research productivity and continue to strengthen our education’s reputation,” said John Buckwalter, research and graduate studies associate dean.

The name change took one year to receive final approval by the Higher Education Coordinating Board, Gerlach said.

Exercise science senior Glenn Hodge said he considers the new name more accurate because just education seemed to imply everyone would be teachers.

“The name change makes it more clear to me as kinesiology is health professions,” he said. “I chose exercise science because I was fitness-minded and realized it’s the place for me.”

Administrative assistant Susan March said the nursing program is different than health professions.

“There is always some confusion,” she said. “Health-professions-related students often come to us and we direct them to kinesiology.”