Meet Pascale Belony, health educator and nurse representing Haiti in Miss Universe 2021

Where global interests and a passion for service collide, leadership is found. On Sunday, the world will hear from Miss Universe contestant Pascale Belony — an inspiring health education and nursing alumna — as she takes the stage to represent Haiti and Gator Nation on her quest for better health education for all.

Learn more >


UFHHP Spaces: Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Muscle Biology

Take a virtual tour of the Molecular Cardiology & Myology Laboratory run by Ashley Smuder, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology

Take the tour >


U.S. News & World Report names UF No. 1 in the country for online bachelor’s degrees

UF Online, the University of Florida’s online bachelor’s degree program, is No. 1 in the nation, according to the latest rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report, recognizing UF’s excellence in delivering world-class educational opportunities across platforms. HHP offers three bachelor's degrees within UF Online.

Learn more about the rankings, including retaining our No. 2 ranking for the third year in a row for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans.

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2022 Undergraduate Faculty Mentor of the Year: Doug DeMichele

The College of Health & Human Performance is proud to announce the 2022 Undergraduate Faculty Mentor of the Year: Doug DeMichele, Ed.D., instructional professor, internship coordinator and associate chair in the Department of Sport Management.

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#TakeAKnee: Measuring Fan Perceptions in a Super Bowl Host City

​​Just one kneel at a preseason NFL game in 2016 shook the core of the sports world. Colin Kaepernick’s protest against racial equality opened the conversation once again to activism on and off the field. It also forced sports leagues like the NFL to reconcile with their own credibility in the eyes of fans as they navigated how to handle their athlete’s advocacy.

With a few years of retrospection on the movement, Yonghwan Chang, Ph.D., assistant professor in sport management, and Akira Asada, MSSPM '14, Ph.D. '17, assistant professor in sport management at Texas Tech University, constructed a crisis communication analysis of the NFL.

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Happy Gator Day!

HHP is proud to join The Gator Nation for in “championing the Gator Good!”

At HHP, we’re advancing the way we live, work and play by promoting healthy living, training the next generation, enhancing physical performance and enriching lives.

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Join HHP for the Internship and Job Fair Feb. 16

On Feb. 16, students and employers will take to the courts to discover and discuss internship and career opportunities. HHP’s Internship and Job Fair will be held in the Florida Gym from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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We Heard You Holler! Thank you, Gators!

The fourth “Stand-Up and Holler: Gator Nation Giving Day” was held on Thursday, February 17. On this day, Gators from around the world donated to various causes across UF and in support of the College of Health & Human Performance.

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Welcome #UF26!

Congratulations to our newest Gators! The College of Health & Human Performance (HHP) gives you an education unlike anywhere else. Here, you have the opportunity to study, explore and make a profound difference in people’s lives. We empower students with the tools, knowledge and confidence to fulfill their dreams and become remarkable assets to their communities.

At HHP, you will gain more than just an education – we are confident you will also find a home.

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2022 UF Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentoring of the Year Award

The College of Health & Human Performance is proud to share the news that Chris Hass, Ph.D., professor in applied physiology and kinesiology and associate provost for academic and faculty affairs, has been selected for a University of Florida Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentoring of the Year Award.

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College Welcomes Inaugural Chair in Sport Management

This summer, George Cunningham, Ph.D., will join the College of Health & Human Performance as the inaugural chair for the Department of Sport Management. Dr. Cunningham joins UF from the College of Education & Human Development at Texas A&M University where he is professor and senior associate dean of the Graduate and Professional School.

Read the announcement >

Read the Q&A with Dr. Cunningham >


Tom Farrey Addresses Youth Sports

On March 24, HHP hosted the 35th annual D.K. Stanley Lecture featuring Tom Farrey (BSJ '86), an investigative journalist, author and executive director and founder of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program.

His lecture addressed the concerns of lifting the restrictions for the NCAA’s model that used to prohibit the profiting of an athlete’s name, image and likeness (NIL). Lifting restrictions from this program is expected to lead to an increase of the monetization of children.

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Game, Set, Match: WTA and UF's Winning Partnership

Under the Miami sun, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) player, Astra Sharma celebrated earning a master’s degree — the first for the partnership between the WTA and University of Florida.

Sharma, the current no. 96 WTA ranked singles player, earned a Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology with a concentration in human performance this fall.

Read more >


HAPPY GRADUATE STUDENT APPRECIATION WEEK

From all of us in the College of Health & Human Performance – thank you to our graduate students. You are a critical part of our college and we are grateful for everything you do.

Learn about activities happening throughout the week.

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HHP & UF Celebrate National Biomechanics Day

Happy National Biomechanics Day from the Florida Gym! Today, UF faculty and students spent the day with students from Bishop Middle School highlighting principles of biomechanics and movement science within daily life and sports.

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Game On: Winter Olympics Provide a Blueprint for Future Sporting Events

Waning COVID-19 infections and a strict bubble proved to be a success for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Kyriaki Kaplanidou, Ph.D., professor in sport management, shares how the winter games can provide a blueprint for the FIFA World Cup and future large-scale sporting events.

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Congratulations, Diba Mani, UF Teacher of the Year

The College of Health & Human Performance is proud to announce that Diba Mani, Ph.D., instructional assistant professor in applied physiology and kinesiology, is this year's University of Florida Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Mani is the fifth college faculty member recognized for this university-wide honor in the past 15 years.

Read more >


A Driving Force: Exploring Auto Racing Physiology

Researchers David Ferguson, Ph.D., and Michael Reid, Ph.D., are collaborating with the FastMD Racing Team to open the conversation of auto racing physiology. Together, they are exploring the physical challenges faced by drivers.

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2022 Spring Awards: Celebrating the College Community

On April 15, the University of Florida College of Health & Human Performance recognized 14 alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends making an impact within The Gator Nation and beyond.

These honorees are a source of inspiration and pride.

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Congratulations, Gator Grads!

Over Commencement weekend this spring, the college celebrated candidates earning 16 doctoral, 142 master's and 441 bachelor's degrees.

Congratuations to the Class of 2022!

Read more >

View highlights >


The Miami Grand Prix, Florida’s Newest Visitor Attraction

It’s F1 Miami Race Week - Michael Reid, PhD, dean and professor, predicts why it’s full speed ahead for this inaugural race series and Florida’s newest visitor attraction.

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Celebrating the Gator100

Congratulations to our college alumni celebrated in this year’s Gator100!

Thank you to these business owners and leaders for creating jobs, adding value to our community and making an impact around the world.

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Training Firefighters to be Peer Fitness Counselors

Firefighters put their lives on the line every time they respond to a call. But in order to do so, they must be physically able to handle the stressors of the job.

Anna Gardner, Ph.D., instructional assistant professor in applied physiology and kinesiology, is working to keep these public servants in optimal shape not only for the good of the community but also for their personal health.

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Nichole Scaglione Wins UF Excellence Award for Assistant Professors

Congratulations to Nichole Scaglione, Ph.D., assistant professor in health education & behavior, for being recognized with the 2022 Excellence Award for Assistant Professors — one of the university’s top awards for a junior faculty member.

Scaglione has more than 10 years of experience leading federally-funded (DoD, CDC, NIH) projects aimed at reducing substance abuse and sexual violence in adolescents and young adults.

Read more >


Save the Dates: Fall Events

Mark your calendars this fall for our Fall Retreat, Scholarship Convocation, Homecoming Tailgate and Appreciation Open House.

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IT'S OFFICIAL: FIVE FACULTY EARN PROMOTIONS OR TENURE

This summer, five faculty members earned promotions or tenure. Congratulations to Garrett Beatty, Ph.D., Chris Brown, Ph.D., Blain Harrison, Ph.D., Andrei Kirilenko, Ph.D., and Cyntrice Thomas, Ph.D., JD.

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HHP research team earns first grants aimed at increasing diversity in space health research

The Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) at Baylor College of Medicine awarded a $300,000 grant to a team of researchers led by Rachael Seidler, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, that is helping the push for inclusion.

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UF study shows DBS may improve gait and balance in some essential tremor patients

For some patients with essential tremor, deep brain stimulation has been shown to improve tremor in the upper limbs, but its impact on other effects, such as gait and balance issues, is unclear.

The new 34-participant study was led by Evangelos Christou, Ph.D., professor in applied physiology & kinesiology, and a team of UF neuroscientists.

Read more at McKnight Brain Institute >


Heatstroke's long-term damage to the body

This summer, huge swaths of the U.S. have already faced record-breaking heat waves. Heat kills more people than any other extreme weather event, and deadly heat waves are getting longer and hotter as the climate warms.

Staying cool – and informed – is essential. So we spoke with Thomas Clanton, Ph.D., a professor of applied physiology and kinesiology and an expert in the effects of heat on the body, about how to recognize heat illness and the long-term consequences of this kind of stress.

Read more at UF News >


Performance Magazine: Summer 2022

The summer issue of Performance focuses on artificial intelligence (AI), a new strategic priority for the University of Florida. The university is integrating AI into every aspect of education and is dramatically expanding AI-related research.

Read about exciting AI applications in the college that include utilizing AI to help diagnose and treat diseases, enhancing performance in sports with machine learning, creating new opportunities in tourism through robotics, and evaluating the ethical and equitable use of this new technology.

Read more in Performance >


Middle School Summer Camp “Girls With Nerve” Empowers the Pursuit of Neuroscience

UF Researchers Daniel Ferris, Ph.D., and Rachael Seidler, Ph.D., teamed up to bring more than 20 middle school students to campus this summer for a free, week-long summer camp aimed at empowering girls to explore neuroscience.

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We're excited to have our HHP Gators back!

Join us in a “welcome back photo challenge.” As HHP Gators, we like to say that we are “advancing the way we live, work and play.” In welcoming you back to campus, we want to see your creative interpretations of these themes through your photo or video submissions. The challenge runs August 24-26.

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CELEBRATING SHARI MACK’S 39 YEARS OF SERVICE

Celebrating nearly 40 years of service, the College of Health & Human Performance wishes Shari Mack a happy retirement. Ms. Mack, administrative support assistant III, in the dean’s office, retired this summer.

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Celebrating our student scholars and donors

The University of Florida College of Health & Human Performance thanked donors and students for their efforts at this year’s Scholarship Convocation luncheon event on Friday, September 9.

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#UFHHP Gators Give

It's that time of year again – UF Campaign for Charities 2022!

Last year, HHP faculty and staff broke two of its records during the annual University of Florida Campaign for Charities giving campaign. Let's do it again!

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Welcome Back: HHP Gators Celebrate Homecoming

This year’s homecoming tailgate event was held inside Alligator Alley in the Florida Gymnasium ahead of the homecoming football game against the University of Missouri on Saturday, October 8.

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Alumni, Teacher, Adviser and Community Award Nominations Open

Nominations are open for Teacher of the Year, Adviser of the Year, Outstanding Young Alumni, Alumni Hall of Fame and the B.K. Stevens Award. Consider nominating a member of the UFHHP community today!

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Celebrating Generosity: Thank you, HHP Donors!

The College of Health and Human Performance celebrated the generosity of donors, who raised a record-breaking $12 million to support the interdisciplinary work of the college, by hosting a “Go Greater” open house on Friday, October 14.

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Celebrating National Transfer Student Week

It’s National Transfer Student Week and we’re proud of all of our transfer students for the unique and diverse experiences they bring.

Read about eight of our 457 outstanding transfer students!

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Humanized Team Mascots Create Closeness, According to Sport Management Study

New research from Sport Management Professors Yong Jae Ko, Ph.D., Yonghwan Chang, Ph.D., and fellow researchers, show that humanized team mascots create a closeness among fans.

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#UFHHP Gators Give

Faculty and staff in the College of Health & Human Performance broke records during this year's annual University of Florida Campaign for Charities giving campaign for the second year in a row.

As a college, faculty and staff raised more than $15,000 with a record-breaking 35 percent of faculty and staff participating.

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Transparency 2022: Exploring Transgender Policy in Sport

On December 5, the College of Health and Human Performance will host its second Transparency event, an informational and resource-driven panel discussion and community expo.

The 2022 event will focus on exploring transgender policy in sport.

Read more >


#UFHHP Celebrates International Education Week

It’s International Education Week and we’re proud of all of our international students for their achievements and for the unique experiences they bring.

Read about the week-long celebration!

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HHP contributes to the university’s $1 billion in research expenditures

Halfway through the year, the University of Florida surpassed a milestone of $1 billion in research spending across all colleges. The College of Health & Human Performance has been part of that success with $10 million of its own in expenditures contributing to the wealth of knowledge coming out of Gainesville every year.

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Booking holiday travel? Here are five top expert tips

Finally taking that holiday trip you’ve waited all year to enjoy? As the tourism industry continues its comeback, there are a few things you should consider.

Read more at news.ufl.edu >


Transparency 2022: Exploring Transgender Policy in Sport

On December 5, the College of Health and Human Performance hosted its second Transparency event, an informational and resource-driven panel discussion and community expo.

The 2022 event focused on exploring transgender policy in sport.

Read more >


Study: Managers exhibit bias based on race, gender, disability and sexual orientation

Newly published study work shows that managers are likely to express bias, particularly in implicit forms.

Read more at news.ufl.edu >


Celebrating New Faculty and Staff and New Positions

This fall, the College of Health and Human Performance welcomed new tenure track and teaching-track faculty to the college, and several new staff members and position changes within the college.

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Repeat performance: UF again ranked No. 5 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report

For the second year in a row, UF is listed as one of the top five public research universities in the nation, according to the 2023 Best Colleges rankings released yesterday by U.S. News & World Report. The No. 5 recognition reaffirms UF’s status as an academic powerhouse in research, innovation, educational excellence, student outcomes and technology transfer.

Read more at news.ufl.edu >


CELEBRATING UF'S CORE VALUES

At the College of Health & Human Performance, we’re advancing the way we live, work and play by promoting healthy living, training the next generation, enhancing physical performance and enriching lives.

We strive to incorporate UF's Core Values into everything we do all while advancing critical research in human wellness, equipping students for their field and future, and translating academic findings to improve lives.

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