First Impressions

Ten years after Purdue University made the groundbreaking decision to form a brand new college focused on human health and quality of life, we never dreamed we could celebrate our 10^th anniversary in the midst of a global pandemic. 

This issue highlights some of the many ways HHS faculty, staff, students and alumni have adapted — and continue to adapt — to the changes and challenges that COVID-19 has presented. Thinking Beyond the Pandemic explores how HHS researchers are studying the pandemic’s long-term effects — not just on physical health but on mental, social and economic health, too.

On the Frontline of COVID-19 offers personal and professional perspectives from current nursing students and recent graduates who have responded to the call of the pandemic.

And, HTM Students Learn and Build Community is a heart-warming tale of how an outdated mode of communication came to the rescue when students from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management needed a way to complete 10 hours of community service (as part of their coursework) in the midst of “stay at home” orders.

July 1, 2010, marked the College of Health and Human Sciences’ 10^th anniversary. One way we safely and virtually celebrated this occasion was through a series of 10 social media posts — one for each year. On July 1, we marked our special day by posting A Decade of Success, a story about the origins of HHS, our widespread growth since 2010, and our plans for the future.

Speaking of the future, after more than a year of planning, we are very close to finalizing our 2020 HHS Strategic Roadmap. This highly collaborative effort began last fall, was paused in mid-March when the entire campus moved to remote instruction, and resumed in July.  The Roadmap has been updated to reflect that in the United States, we actually face two pandemics — the coronavirus and systemic racism. The HHS Roadmap now includes initiatives focused on our response to the pandemic and greater emphasis on our efforts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion.

I am so grateful to everyone who participated in our strategic planning process — whether by serving on a committee, attending our town hall meetings or sharing your thoughts through our online surveys. Once finalized, we will post the Strategic Roadmap to the HHS website and get to work on creating an HHS exploratory program for Purdue undergraduates, strengthening interdisciplinary work around our signature areas, improving our efforts to offer high-instruction and build community in this virtual world, and so much more.

Purdue has been at the forefront of higher education institutions responding to the global pandemic. Purdue administrators, faculty and staff worked extensively throughout the spring and summer months on a plan to operate safely this fall, culminating in Protect Purdue. We are thrilled to have our students back on campus and proud of how they are following the Protect Purdue guidelines.

The College of Health and Human Sciences continues to thrive and grow, thanks to the remarkable efforts of our faculty, staff and students, and to the support of our alumni and friends. There has never been a greater need for what our people and programs have to offer as we respond to this new normal in which we find ourselves today. Together.

 

Hail Purdue!

Marion K. Underwood
Dean