In an effort to more closely align the teaching, research and outreach programs of the Department of Kinesiology with the college in which it is based, the department was recently relocated to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, an area that has increasingly expanded its focus on human health.

As part of that shift, the Board of Trustees voted to rename the new home of kinesiology the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources.

The relocation of the kinesiology department from the Neag School of Education reflects the natural evolution of a discipline rooted in the development of physical education teachers.

“Over the past few years the research focus of many of members within the Department of Kinesiology has shifted, in particular toward the area of genetics and genomics,” said Thomas DeFranco, dean of the Neag School of Education. “Ideologically, members of the department felt a better fit for their programs and research would be aligned with College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“I want to personally wish all the members of kinesiology good luck and success during the transition period and as they move to their new home,” said Dean DeFranco.

The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources’ goal is to connect food, people, and health in a manner that is economically viable and environmentally sustainable, according to the recommendation from the University. The academic and clinical domains related to kinesiology will strengthen the human health and athletic nutrition programs already within its new base, namely Allied Health Science and Nutritional Sciences.

Day-to-day, the Department of Kinesiology is expected to continue operating much as it has in the past. All undergraduate, graduate, and professional programming is anticipated to remain unchanged. And pre-kinesiology majors will continue to enter the program through the Academic Center for Exploratory Students.

The college last expanded its name from the College of Agriculture to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1969.