About Us

The Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences is a community of scholars committed to advancing health equity through interdisciplinary, community-engaged research, teaching and service.

Our approach to health promotion and behavioral sciences is framed within the social ecological model (a framework acknowledging that policy, community, family and friends, and individual characteristics influence health). . We conduct research on theory and action to support the development, implementation, evaluation and translation of interventions with impact at multiple levels. Our faculty maintain a growing research portfolio aiming to develop innovative approaches addressing inequity and inform policy, practice and resource distribution. Located within a metropolitan research university, we collaborate with scholars from various disciplines, as well as local agencies and organizations to improve population health. In addition, our strong relationships with community partners provide a direct path for translation of our research into action locally and globally.

We take a student-centered approach to teaching, learning and mentoring. Our goal is that each of our graduates leaves with the training and experience to engage as public health-oriented leaders. We achieve this by intentionally building their critical thinking and leadership skills and utilizing our research and multidisciplinary expertise to immerse students in the work of public health.