Greetings from the Chair

February 2026

 

Greetings fellow alumni and friends,

Quite a lot has happened since my last update, which may help explain the delay. If you have been following William & Mary news, you may already know that we have undergone a significant curricular transition approved last year by the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV). In October, SCHEV approved a new major in Human Health & Physiology (HHP). Although the major now carries a new name, you will find that the core curriculum continues to center on human anatomy and human physiology, as it has since at least the 1970s. In fact, it remains largely unchanged from my requirements as a student: an introductory course, human anatomy, human physiology, statistics, ethics, and exercise physiology—all of which remain part of the HHP core. The main changes are that biomechanics and motor control, which were required in the early ’90s, have been replaced with a broader curriculum that now includes a nutrition requirement and a capstone course designed to help students integrate and apply their learning in meaningful ways.

In keeping with this evolution and continued focus on human health, you may recall that in the 2010s the department began adding new faculty and coursework in public health, expanding our understanding of health from the individual to the population level. This growth led to an increase in the number of majors and the development of a concentration in public health. As a result, in addition to the Human Health & Physiology degree, SCHEV has also approved a new degree program in Public Health (PBHL).

Finally, to better reflect these changes and the incorporation of two new degree programs under one umbrella, the department name has changed from Kinesiology to Health Sciences. For some of you (like me), these changes may evoke a sense of nostalgia; for others, they may spark excitement as our names and majors more clearly reflect the work we do. In either case, I want to assure you that we continue to have a wonderful group of faculty and students dedicated to our core values: caring for others and providing a welcoming environment for all who are interested in improving health—from individuals to entire populations. It remains the same kind of place where I began my academic journey.

As always, we love to hear from you, and you can share updates with us through our Send Us Your News link. Even better, you can stop by Adair Hall anytime and share your updates in person. We hope to hear from you soon.

Go Tribe!

 M. Brennan Harris, Ph.D. (B.S. Kinesiology ’93)

Chair & Professor

Department of Health Sciences

College of Arts & Sciences

William & Mary

mbharr@wm.edu