College of Education, Health, & Human Sciences

Enhancing quality of life through research, outreach, and practice

The mission of The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences is "To promote a healthy, educated, and civil society; to encourage life-long learning; and to enhance the quality of life within the diverse, global community by preparing professionals to lead and serve by conducting research and by engaging in service and outreach activities."

If you would like to be involved in the most important work in society, consider a career in education, health or the human sciences. If you want to have fun doing it, come to the University of Tennessee!

Good News

$1 Million Challenge: Donor Helps Raise Money for UT Teacher Education

An anonymous donor has made a $1 million challenge to raise money to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in the teacher internship program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

The donor, a longtime supporter of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, has offered to give $1 million in memory of the late J. Clayton Arnold if the college can collect at least $1 million in contributions from other supporters.

The J. Clayton Arnold Challenge is based upon the inspiration of a man whose desire was "investing in the human race." Arnold, a rural mail carrier in Williamson County, began providing financial assistance to students studying to be teachers in 1965. While Arnold only earned a $60-per-month salary and never attended college, he was a smart man who made investments throughout his 95 years. These investments allowed him to give UT Knoxville its first million-dollar gift.

"I am loyal to the human race. I believe it is capable of scarcely dreamed of development. Education has the most important role in the development. The responsibility for this development rests upon us," Arnold said.

Arnold believed by investing in the preparation of teachers his gift could influence 25 million students: "Out of the fund I have set up, 5,000 students who are planning to be teachers can be helped in the next 50 years. If each of them influences 5,000 children, I feel that my money will help 25 million children."

Even with his generous gift, Arnold was never content. Instead, he challenged UT alumni to help contribute to his efforts, which has resulted in large gains to the university's annual giving program. In 2009, 82 teacher education interns received a J. Clayton Arnold Scholarship.

"The J. Clayton Arnold Challenge invites others to follow Arnold's lead and make a transformational gift to honor a teacher who has touched their lives," said Bob Rider, dean of the college. "The perfect way to do that is to nominate an educator for the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences' Educators Hall of Honor."

With a $1,000 contribution, a donor can nominate an educator for the Hall of Honor. For a contribution of $25,000 or more, a separate scholarship endowment fund will be established in the honoree's or donor's name. 

The next group of Hall of Honor inductees will be announced during a ceremony on March 25.

To learn more about the Educators Hall of Honor and how to nominate someone, see: http://cehhs.utk.edu/AlumniTest/hall_of_honor.html.

"By making a charitable gift to the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, you are not only helping to meet the J. Clayton Arnold Challenge, but also making an investment in future educators whose impact will last beyond a lifetime," Rider said.

TEAM UT goes to work at Super Bowl XLIV

TEAM UT is very excited to be able to travel to Miami to work at the 2010 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLIV.  They will be leaving January 30th for Miami and will be working a variety of events for the National Football League.  Please keep visiting our website, as we will be posting pictures and blogging about our experiences in Miami!

Dr. Joy DeSensi named the 2010 Distinguished Scholar by NAKPEHE

Dr. Joy DeSensi received the 2010 Distinguished Scholar Award given by the National Association for Kinesiology and Physical Education in Higher Education (NAKPEHE).  This prestigious award is given annually to a NAKPEHE member who has a distinguished and internationally recognized scholarly record.  Dr. DeSensi’s primary scholarly interest focuses on sociocultural issues of sport, including all aspects of diversity and ethics in sport management.  She is author of Ethics and Morality in Sport Management (3rd edition) along with Danny Rosenberg and has authored numerous scholarly articles and book chapters in her field.  Dr. DeSensi has a long history of service to professional organizations through holding leadership positions and serving as editor of professional journals.  Dr. DeSensi is clearly committed to professional excellence and has been previously awarded NAKPEHE’s Distinguished Service Award and the Distinguished Administrator Award. Dr. DeSensi is a Chancellor’s Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  She the Associate Dean of the UTK Graduate School and is a professor in the Department of Exercise, Sport, and Leisure Studies.

Ahead of the game: UT program directs students into sports careers

From the Knoxville News Sentinal/Knoxnews.com - 12-15-09

University of Tennessee undergraduate student Cole Webster has rubbed shoulders with basketball great Michael Jordan and other sports stars during internships with the Charlotte Bobcats and the Atlanta Falcons. The person he most wants to meet, however, is somebody he can call his full-time boss in an area of sports management. "I like sports marketing," the Ringgold, Ga., resident said. "After seeing what I can do with my degree first-hand, it drives me to work harder so I can get a position." Webster - who is one of approximately 150 undergraduate and 70 graduate students going through UT's sports management program through the College of Education, Health, and Human Services - is not sure of his future job prospects. Read More

Gastronomical Graduation: 16 Complete UT Culinary Institute Program

Sixteen food enthusiasts - college students, retirees and working professionals in a variety of fields, including some already in the food service industry - graduated Wednesday from UT's Culinary Institute. This is the fifth class to graduate from the institute since it started in October 2007. Read More

Paulus is QUEST Scholar of the Week - 11/30/09

Trena Paulus, an associate professor in the educational psychology and counseling department, has distinguished herself for both scholarship and teaching effectiveness. Her primary research areas include qualitative inquiry methodologies, transformation of large undergraduate lecture courses and online/blended collaborative learning environments. QUEST, UT Knoxville's comprehensive research initiative, has selected Paulus as its Scholar of the Week.

Grief Outreach Center Helps Grieving Children With Loss

Tricia McClam tells the story of a fourth grader in east Knoxville who shows up early for an appointment in her school’s library. When asked why she’s there, she says, “I’m looking for my friend.” Her friend is a graduate student who meets with her each week, reads to her, plays with her, and listens to her, as part of a grief outreach program begun in the fall of 2008 by the University of Tennessee. The children in the program are dealing with major, usually stunning, instances of loss and grief. They face circumstances that involve divorce, abandonment, suicide, murder, custody battles, or a parent who’s been taken off to prison. Read More

Chen is QUEST Scholar of the Week - 11-17-2009

Guoxun Chen, an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition, recently received the prestigious Young Investigator Award from the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism, American Heart Association, as well as a Scientist Development Grant of $308,000 to support his research on the roles of vitamin A in the regulation of sugar and fat metabolism. His future research will focus on the roles of vitamin A in the development of metabolic diseases. QUEST, UT Knoxville's comprehensive research initiative, has selected Chen as its Scholar of the Week. Read More

CEHHS Connection E-Newsletter Fall 2009

The fall edition of the CEHHS Connection E-Newsletter is now out! You can view it in PDF format here.

Child and Family Studies receives $1 Million Dollar Grant

Dr. Brian Barber, Professor of Child and Family Studies and Director of the Center for the Study of Youth and Political Violence has received a $1 million grant from the Jacobs Foundation of Switzerland to study the long-term well-being of Palestinian youth. This is a four year project entitled, “The Impact of Political Conflict on Youth:  Assessing Long-Term Well-Being via an Event History-Resource Model.”   Read More

Visiting Scholar Discussion and Seminar

Dr. Leah E. Robinson from Auburn University will be conducting a “Brown Bag” discussion with students on the topic “Why Research Matters and How Do I Get Involved?” from 12:30-1:15 PM downstairs in HPER room 22. From 11:15 AM-12:05 PM she will be lecturing in ES 100 (232 HPER) on a topic related to physical activity among high risk groups.

Finally at 3:35 PM she will be presenting in the research seminar on the topic “The Lasting Effect of Psychosocial Determinants on Lifetime Movement, Physical Activity, and Health in High Risk Populations." You can view more information here.

UT Ready for the World Cafe Explores Flavors of Italy, China and France

Dishes from Italy, China and France will be on the menu the week of Nov. 2 at the Ready for the World Café at UT Knoxville. The café is open from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the Hermitage Room on the third floor of the University Center. Diners pay $11 for the all-you-can-eat buffet or $9 for a plate of food to carry out. Faculty and staff can use ARAMARK's new UT Reward Card to receive a 15 percent discount at the café. Read more.

UT Retail Faculty Rank High in Research Productivity

The amount of research being done by retail faculty at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, ranks in the top 20 internationally and in the top five nationally, according to published studies recently done by two members of the Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management department. Read More

Student Awards Celebration

On October 13 the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences held the annual Student Awards Celebration at the University Center on the Knoxville campus. The event honors students in the College who have received a scholarship or fellowship and gives those students the opportunity to meet and thank the donors who make the awards possible. Thanks directly to our donors, over 280 students received scholarships or fellowships that totaled just under $660,000. While each scholarship or fellowship varies in the selection criteria, the recipients are all students of true accomplishment and promise. You can view a photo gallery of the event here.

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