JMU College of Health and Behavioral Studies

08/27/2026

A glimpse into our first day here at CHBS! Safe to say, our Dukes are looking GOOD. Here’s to a semester full of learning and growth!

Follow this link to find and download your photo: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD3n4n

08/26/2026

First day of classes but make it Y2K! ✨📀

Happy first day, Dukes! Whether you’re feeling totally ready or still buffering… take a deep breath and soak it all in.

08/25/2026

Congratulations to JMU Psychology faculty member Curtis Bradley on receiving a 2026 merit-based early-career research award from the American Psychological Association (APA)!

Presented at the APA’s annual conference in Washington, D.C., the award recognizes excellence in early-career research. Bradley’s research, conducted alongside his undergraduate students, explores “U.S. Magnitude and Caffeine Dose Effects on Sign and Goal Tracking.”

As part of the recognition, Bradley was also invited to present his research at the Early Career Investigator poster session, giving his work an additional national spotlight.

We’re proud to celebrate this recognition of Bradley’s research and the opportunities JMU psychology students have to contribute to research and make an impact beyond campus!

Congratulate him in the comments!

08/24/2026

New publication spotlight!

How can first-generation scholars navigate the graduate admissions process with confidence? In a new article in Springer Nature, Health Sciences professor Biswadeep Dhar shares seven essential lessons for first-generation students pursuing graduate education, from finding the right mentors to funding opportunities.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3UdjWnX

08/20/2026

We asked our Health Sciences faculty what they’re most excited about this year, and what advice they have for students!

08/19/2026

Congratulations to Lori Gano-Overway, kinesiology professor and program director of the Coaching Education minor, on receiving the 2026 Association for Applied Sport Psychology Foundation's (AASP) Teaching Excellence Award!

This award recognizes Lori’s excellence and impact as an educator. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor and her continued contributions to students and her profession.

Congratulate Lori on this outstanding achievement in the comments below!

08/18/2026

What happens when JMU students and alumni step outside the clinic and into a summer camp?

For those volunteering at the Central Virginia Burn Camp, the answer lies in friendship, connection, and unexpected life lessons.

“The camp has helped me a lot with being able to build relationships with people and see people as more than a diagnosis,” Korinna Weber ('16)

Read the full story to learn how CVBC is impacting both the young burn survivors who attend and those who serve them: https://bit.ly/4hGSqJe

08/12/2026

A taste of France through a dietetics student’s eyes!

While studying abroad in Paris and Beaune, dietetics student Vanessa Arellano (far left) had the opportunity to explore French cuisine through both cooking and dining experiences.

One of her favorite dishes was the mushrooms she prepared during a cooking class. Made with white wine, parsley and other fresh ingredients, the dish transformed a food that many people typically avoid into a favorite among the group.

For Vanessa, the experience highlighted how preparation methods and ingredient selection can influence the way we experience and enjoy food. She also loved the beef bourguignon, noting the depth of flavor.

From classrooms to the kitchen, Vanessa’s time in France offered a delicious look at how culture and nutrition intersect. Take a look at some of these plates!

08/11/2026

JMU in National Geographic!

Kelly Atwood, director of JMU’s Counseling and Psychological Services and Interprofessional Services for Learning Assessment, and an associate professor in the Department of Graduate Psychology, is quoted in a National Geographic article!

Atwood breaks down what happens inside your brain when you’re stressed, and how those brain signals trigger your body’s response.

Want to learn more about what’s happening behind the scenes when stress kicks in? National Geographic subscribers can read the full article here:

New research links a more diverse gut microbiome with a stronger, potentially more adaptive response to short-term stress—but it’s only one part of the resilience puzzle.

08/06/2026

Kinda chic to study in the new Carrier Library…

Can't find a place to study in the HBS building this August? Don't worry—Carrier is back open and has everything a CHBS student needs, from an anatomy lab to Starbucks. Have you checked it out yet?