About Us
The College of Health and Human Sciences (CHHS), provides teaching, research and scholarly activities that seek to enrich the well-being of both humans and communities at the local, national, and global level. Being a part of CHHS means creating positive solutions for families in need, preventing addictions in youth, enhancing the lives of our aging population, and meeting the healthcare and human services needs of our state and communities. A degree earned in this college prepares students to become part of the solution and make contributions, as well as providing a solid foundation for practical career opportunities.
Mission of the College
The mission of the College of Health and Human Sciences (CHHS) is to create and communicate knowledge in the areas of health and human services through excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research and scholarly activity, and service to professional organizations, the community, and the campus. The curricula of the units in the college reflect a commitment to a broad general education as well as depth in specialized knowledge and skills. Basic and applied scholarship is conducted to contribute to the existing body of knowledge and to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Nevada, the nation, and the international community. Faculty in the college provide outreach through the extension of knowledge to the people of the state and are committed to the maintenance and improvement of professional education and leadership in the community and in professional organizations.
Summary of Mission Statement
- To create and communicate health and human sciences knowledge through education, research and scholarly activity, and service.
- To enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Nevada, the nation, and the world.
Vision of the College
Central to the CHHS mission is the commitment to increase research and scholarly activities, including external funding, and expand graduate education, including the development of appropriate doctoral programs, while maintaining the high quality of our teaching and other educational efforts and the active involvement of faculty, staff, and students in outreach teaching, research, and service.
Research Highlights
Some of the research efforts by faculty and students of this college include but are not limited to: End of Life Issues; Childhood Obesity; Chronic Disease; Health Disparities and Physical Activity; HIV and Suicide; Substance Abuse and Addition; Toddler’s and Preschooler’s Literacy Development; Infant Sleep; Elder Abuse; Elderly Safety and Well-Being Issues; Child Death in Nevada; Health Statistics; Suicide; Meth Crimes and Foster Care; Workplace Substance Abuse; Living Wage Studies; Young Adult Fathers; Workforce Studies on Childcare; Adolescent Parents; Intergenerational Support; Divorce and Re-marriage; Social Isolation of People with Paralysis; The Uninsured Population; Stress Reduction in the Workplace; Implications of Nuclear Fallout.
Major Themes
There are several major themes to which faculty, staff, students, and programs throughout the college are directed. These include health and well being (broadly defined to include mental health, physical health, community health, public health, social health, and public safety), human sciences, ethics, lifespan development, social and economic justice, and outreach to individuals, families, and communities. CHHS is committed to the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at the individual and societal levels. Major emphasis is placed on meeting the needs of the university population and the citizens of Nevada, particularly the vulnerable populations who are so prevalent in our state.
Context
The College of Health and Human Sciences was formed through faculty initiative in response to the significant health, social welfare, and human science needs throughout Nevada. Our ever-growing student enrollments reflect not only interest in but also need for our programs. National data indicate that Nevada consistently leads almost all other states in such serious health, social welfare, and human science areas as teen pregnancy, teen suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, smoking, lack of health insurance, infant immunization, low birth weight babies, and seat belt usage. Federal Welfare to Work legislation in the late 1990’s brought about significant change in the area of early childhood education and has heightened awareness of the increased need for improved quality and quantity of childcare in Nevada. After the terrorist attacks on our country, interest in public health, safety and security has been on the forefront locally and nationally as never before and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.