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This has been an exciting year for the College of Health & Human Performance (HHP) and our community. Collaborations and strong partnerships have helped transform many of our programs.
The creation of industry advisory boards is a prime example. As of this year, every department in the College has an advisory board that brings fresh ideas from an industry perspective. Our students are already reaping the benefits through new internship programs, personal interactions with industry leaders and innovations in the curriculum.
In this issue, you’ll also learn about novel concepts being explored by our faculty. A few of my favorites include animation as a learning tool, healing through nature, the value of experiences over possessions, and the importance of staying mobile as we age.
This year, we awarded the largest number of scholarships ever to our amazing students. We also awarded two endowed professorships and the first-ever endowed chair, helping us retain three of our most prominent researchers and enhancing the reputation of our college.
It’s clear that the HHP community embraces the whole human experience — from living, to working, to playing. We could not do this work without the support of our alumni and donors.
Thank you for your support and Go Gators!
Michael Reid
Dean
First college-wide study abroad brings HHP students from all majors together. The trip took 43 students and four faculty through historical cities including Venice, Florence and Rome — all places bound with opportunities to learn for all the majors. For example, students were given a sports psychology lecture outside the Colosseum with tales of the gladiators woven in. Others in the tourism major were taught in St. Mark’s Square and then asked to interview local restaurant owners for a class on “the European café.” READ MORE
Albert the Alligator dons a turtleneck and cap. Alberta sports a bow and a cheerleader uniform. Their accessories demonstrate anthropomorphism, the humanization of a nonhuman thing using recognizable characteristics. It’s a process that’s been used for years to bring life to a sports team’s fanfare, but do the costumed characters work on future fans? READ MORE
An HHP researcher is studying how travel experiences can lead to greater feelings of happiness among tourists.
Common consensus has always dictated that paying for experiences is more valuable than collecting possessions. But how can travel companies apply this principle to their business strategies? READ MORE
HHP lecturer teaches sports and live entertainment legal and risk aspects in animated form.
Brian D. Avery is a lecturer and director of engaged learning and outreach in the Department of Sport Management. He teaches in person out of the Florida Gym for residential and online students, but online he also uses a recently developed 2D avatar: a cartoon character dubbed “The Mr. Frizzle of Risk Management.” READ MORE
Mother nature’s simplest forms of greenery may be enough to help curb problematic drinking risks. One of the latest nature studies from the Department of Health Education and Behavior (HEB) explores just how greenspaces could be a tool in treatment for limiting alcohol and substance use harms. READ MORE
Studying the physiological differences in walking adaptability between younger and older adults is helping researchers understand the parts of the body affected and how to address quality of life and health issues as these parts weaken with age. READ MORE
Joe DaSilva, BSSPM ’14, lives by the inspiring motto, "Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is your better and your better is your best." He is a dedicated mentor in his community for more than eight years, and in his current position with iHeartMedia, he's putting his sports broadcasting expertise to work helping brands reach new audiences.
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Annabelle Juin, BSSPM ’17, MSSPM ’18, started her career in sports and event management interning for the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. She has since planned large-scale events like the NCAA Men’s Final Four, NFL Pro Bowl and the DoD Warrior Games, and managed event budgets exceeding $5 million.
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Bryant Seamon, PT, DPT, Ph.D., BSAPK ’10, is an assistant professor in the Division of Physical Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina. Seamon's research investigates novel ways for clinicians to use information from clinical outcome measures, biomechanics and neurophysiology to inform precision treatment for post-stroke walking impairments.
Leigh Feenburg, BSHSE ’04, is the first CEO of Frontline Dental Implant Specialists, the world’s first dental implant partnership network focused on partnering with the best implant-driven practices to provide life-changing smiles. He is a self-described obnoxious member of Gator Nation.
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Leisha McKinley-Beach, BSHSE ’95, is an author, thought leader, inspirational strategist, trainer and community organizer. McKinley-Beach is the founder and CEO of The Black Public Health Academy, which prepares Black health department employees for executive leadership positions, and Leisha.org, which provides HIV and general health information for communities of color.
Gordon Glover, BSESS ’01, MESS ’02, is a two-time UF graduate who went on to receive his law degree from Florida State University in 2005. He is the founder of Glover Law Firm, with offices in Ocala and The Villages, where he focuses on commercial litigation and personal injury.
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Joe Russo, BSPE ’77, is a former UF wrestler turned coach and physical education teacher at Lindenhurst High School in Lindenhurst, New York, his alma mater. For more than 30 years, he coached wrestling, track and field, and strength training, producing numerous champions and All-Americans at high school and college levels.
read profileThe virtual issue of Performance magazine offers additional content about students, staff, faculty and alumni. Click link below to view:
Performance Magazine is a place to celebrate the successes of our faculty, students and alumni. We also hope it's a useful tool to keep you updated on the most recent happenings. See below for past issues of Performance Magazine.
Performance Magazine 2019-2020
e-Performance: Summer 2019 | e-Performance: Spring 2019
Performance Magazine 2018 | e-Performance: Fall 2018
e-Performance: Summer 2018 | e-Performance: Summer 2017
e-Performance: Spring 2017 | e-Performance: Winter 2016
Performance Magazine: 2016 | Performance Magazine: 2015