Message from the Dean

Sylvia Gaiko, PhD, Dean

I am delighted to welcome you to the College of Health and Human Services at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. It is my pleasure to be the dean of this fine college and work alongside the faculty, staff, and IUP administration.

The focus of CHHS is to provide the highest quality of education to prepare students to become leaders in careers related to health and human services. We are a vibrant, comprehensive, teaching-focused, and student-centered college. The CHHS Dean's Office promotes and supports the faculty and staff that deliver our academic programs and is dedicated to the mission of educating for student success. The faculty are highly qualified in their respective disciplines and utilize innovative teaching strategies to engage students to promote high level learning, excitement for the disciplines, and social responsibility.

Disciplines in the college prepare students for their profession by engaging them in activities within the community that applies the theories and concepts discussed in the classroom for a more comprehensive understanding of the issues, while providing valuable service to the communities in which we reside. These real-world applied learning experiences include clinical experiences, field work, internships, applied-research, study abroad, and capstone experiences at a myriad of health and human services facilities, agencies, and organizations.

CHHS is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the community through education, service, collaboration, leadership, and scholarship. This is accomplished in the various centers and programs in the college that provide for a vibrant and relevant university experience.

The CHHS alumni are a huge asset to our programs and services, as they assist with internships, clinicals, mentoring, and career development, and join us for fun activities on campus. It is a great way to network with current and future professionals with similar interest. If you are a graduate of the CHHS and have not connected with us in a while, please come visit and engage in the life of CHHS and IUP.

We are proud of our academic programs, our connection to our broader communities, and the IUP student experience. I encourage you to explore the CHHS website to learn more about us and the many opportunities available to you. Come visit soon, as we would love to visit with you!

GO HAWKS!

Sylvia S. Gaiko
Dean, College of Health and Human Services
sgaiko@iup.edu
216 Zink Hall
724-357-2555