April 30, 2026 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Norrito is preparing students to see sport not just as an industry, but as a powerful force for social good. The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is pleased to welcome Alessio Norrito as a postdoctoral research associate. Norrito brings with him an […]
Category: People
What two RST students gleaned from internships abroad
May 15, 2026 | Ethan Simmons These Recreation, Sport and Tourism undergraduates landed summer internships abroad. Here’s what they learned Every year, students studying Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign venture across the United States for professional internships. Some even find work outside of the country. The College of Applied Health […]
An online RST master’s degree affirmed Haupert’s career in the arts
May 16, 2026 | Ethan Simmons A “theater kid through and through,” Haupert (RST ‘21) helps realize the artistic dreams of her community as Palatine Park District’s first-ever cultural arts manager. From an early age, Laney Haupert dreamed of working in the theater—not acting on stage, but managing her favorite productions behind the scenes. But […]
Our 2026 College of Applied Health Sciences award winners
May 08, 2026 | Ethan Simmons At the spring college meeting for the College of Applied Health Sciences, our faculty and staff gathered to celebrate this year’s college award winners, and give send-offs to two faculty leaders who are entering retirement: Speech and Hearing Science Professor and former Department Head Pamela Hadley and AHS Professor […]
Jeff Woods’ retirement closes a chapter in the College of Applied Health Sciences
May 08, 2026 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Woods leaves a legacy of groundbreaking research and inspired mentorship After a noteworthy tenure spanning more than three decades at the University of Illinois, Jeffrey Woods, Ph.D., the associate dean for research in the College of Applied Health Sciences and a national leader in exercise physiology research, has announced his retirement, marking the end of an […]
The intern who turned an ejection into a career lesson
April 10, 2026 | Ethan Simmons One embarrassing moment produced viral fame and lifelong lessons for this Recreation, Sport and Tourism alum. At their best, college internships are valuable learning experiences. Derek Dye didn’t expect his to involve getting tossed out of a baseball game. That was the viral story for this University of Illinois […]
Two AHS faculty members recognized for excellence in instruction
March 18, 2026 | Ethan Simmons Recognized by the Office of the Provost: Speech and Hearing Science Associate Professor Mary Flaherty and Health and Kinesiology Instructor Christy Bazan Every year, the University of Illinois Office of the Provost recognizes faculty members for excellence in instruction, who are nominated by committees of faculty, staff and students […]
Meet Jerri and Lesli, our newest American Sign Language instructors
Oct. 16, 2025 | Ethan Simmons New Speech and Hearing Science instructors Lesli Williams and Jerri Seremeth are both “native signers”—they grew up learning American Sign Language as their first language and primary mode of communication. They joined the Department of Speech and Hearing Science this fall, and teach classes remotely. Which classes are you […]
AHS Faculty Q&A: Mariana Mendes Bahia on swallowing disorders and her research agenda
Oct. 14, 2025 | Ethan Simmons Speech and Hearing Science Assistant Professor Mariana Mendes Bahia, Ph.D. and CCC-SLP, is an expert on swallowing physiology, respiratory-swallowing coordination, and therapeutic strategies to alleviate swallowing disorders, called dysphagia. She joined the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in fall of 2024, and leads […]
AHS Faculty Q&A: Megan Huibregtse on traumatic brain injuries, MRI and coming to Illinois
Oct. 8, 2025 | Ethan Simmons Megan Huibregtse, Ph.D., is a first-year assistant professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, but she’s no stranger to the Midwest. Huibregtse obtained her bachelor’s in neuroscience and a Ph.D. in human performance from Indiana University, Bloomington. She worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University before joining […]