The Health Professions House opened in the fall 2001 as a collaborative venture between the College of Health and Human Sciences and Student Housing and Dining Services. It is co-ed academic residential option for students interested in health or service (social and human service) professions. Students may be majors in the College of Health and Human Sciences (i.e. nursing, physical therapy, allied health, nutrition and dietetics, clinical laboratory sciences, speech pathology, audiology) or be pursuing a health or service related major outside of the college. The Health Professions House fosters a learning community among students while connecting them with faculty and staff in the College of Health and Human Sciences through special programming. Special Activities of the Health Professions House include on-campus field trips to clinics and laboratories; career presentations and/or a career fair; dining with faculty; and special educational programs.
Alexander Astin (What Matters in College: Four Critical Years Revisited, 1993) stated "the student's peer group is the single most potent source of influence on growth and development during the undergraduate years" (p. 398). Moreover, Astin asserts that "student's values, beliefs, and aspirations tend to change in the direction of the dominant values, beliefs, and aspirations of the peer group." He further emphasizes the importance of identification and affiliation as conditions of qualifying as a "peer group". In this framework, "Health House Ambassadors" provide leadership by living on the floors and assisting the faculty advisors with programming initiatives. Ambassadors are vital in the development of community among residents and in the planning of programs.
Involvement of faculty from the College of Health and Human Sciences has also been vital to the success of this endeavor. Faculty often visit the Health House for our "Dine and Discuss" programs and assist in planning field trips or bringing guest speakers into the house. Check out our Upcoming Events!
To apply for residence in the Health Professions House, contact Student Housing and Dining Services.