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Engagement Initiatives

Working with our community to improve health and quality of life

In the College of Applied Health Sciences, we take the term "applied" very seriously. We refuse to allow our work to be in theory alone and strive to practically bring it to life.

This means that our faculty and our students are committed to engaging our community and our world. Below you will find some of the ways we are doing this.

Lifetime Fitness Program

The Lifetime Fitness Program provides exercise fitness programming for Champaign-Urbana residents ages 55 and over. Programs include group fitness, individual training, and aquatics. The program is directed by Kinesiology Professor Ken Wilund and staffed by Kinesiology graduate students. Undergraduate students also work in the program in order to develop fitness instructional skills.

Sports Fitness Program

The program is a service to the Champaign and Urbana communities that provide opportunities for children to stay physically active in the summer months. The program is intended to not only provide active opportunities throughout the summer but to set children on a course for a healthy and active lifestyle. The program is directed by Professor Gary Crull and staffed by Kinesiology graduate and undergraduate students.

Exercise is Medicine

EIM, a global health initiative managed by the American College of Sports Medicine, is committed to the belief that physical activity is integral in the prevention and treatments of diseases and should be regularly assessed and “treated” as part of all healthcare. Exercise is Medicine® on Campus (EIM-OC) is a program calling upon universities and colleges to engage in the promotion of physical activity as a vital sign of health.

Office of Recreation & Park Resources

The Office of Recreation and Park Resources seeks to help communities implement Recreation Sport and Tourism research findings. This allows park and recreation leaders to expand their knowledge and energize their agencies. ORPR provides educational workshops, community consultations, and survey services to help park and recreation personnel make informed decisions that benefit their communities.

Fall Prevention Clinic

The Illini Fall Prevention Clinic uses state-of-the-art equipment and assessment information provided by clients to develop individualized prevention strategies that meet their specific needs. “Our trainers will work one-on-one with you during non-invasive, low-risk walking and balance tasks,” Dr. Sosnoff said. In order to generate an accurate picture of individual needs, the clinic assesses walking, balance, reaction time, cognition, body awareness, and vision. Based on the results, individuals receive specific training plans targeting their challenge area.

Age-Friendly Champaign-Urbana

The Center on Health, Aging, and Disability is organizing a dedicated group of community leaders who are spearheading an effort to enter the Age-Friendly community network with the goals of making Champaign-Urbana more livable for community members across the lifespan. Working with our community stakeholders, we will focus on several domains including transportation, housing, outdoor spaces and buildings, community and health services, communication and information, civic participation and employment, social participation, respect, and inclusion.

Speech & Hearing Clinic

Careers in Speech & Hearing Science are focused on making a difference in someone else's life. Because of this, we refuse to keep what we learn in the classroom and use it to serve our community. Our clinics provide care for those in the Champaign-Urbana area and give our students hands-on practical experience.