Meet Jordan Russell, Lecturer, Department of Criminal Justice 
First, tell us a little about yourself.
I began my UNT journey as a freshman in 2010 and have been connected to the university ever since! I completed both my bachelor's and master's degrees in Criminal Justice at UNT. Prior to my current role as a Lecturer, I served as the Senior Graduate Academic Advisor in the HPS Dean's Office and held a position as an Adjunct Instructor in the Criminal Justice Department. I am excited to further contribute to the mission of HPS while teaching criminal justice full-time!
Why did you choose to study criminal justice?
My fascination with the...
Meet Dr. Jamar Booth, Lecturer, Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services 
First, tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Jamar Booth, and I was born and raised in South Carolina. As for my academic background, I earned my doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Iowa. Both my master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Activity Management were merited at South Carolina State University. I am a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and have satisfied all requirements for the designation of National Certified Counselor (NCC).
My clinical experiences have centered on the person with disability achieving their educational, vocational, and other...
Meet Dr. Donguk Lee, Assistant Professor, Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology 
First, tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Donguk Lee. I have recently started working in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology as an assistant professor.
Why did you choose to study audiology?
I have seen many people with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) from a young age. They may eventually use hearing aids later in life if they continue to be exposed to high levels of noise. I believe that NIHL is preventable. Through research and promotion of these disciplines, I hope to help prevent further hearing loss in people with...
Meet Rosalind Evans, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work 
Why did you choose to study social work?
I was drawn to social work soon after I learned about the field’s history and impact in a psychology course at my community college. I was interested in advocating and providing support to children and families of vulnerable and oppressed populations so there was a natural alignment of values. Through courses on human behavior and development and social justice, I was able to see how a social work degree could provide me with an education to combat inequality in systems and institutions and become a change agent.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
...
Meet Andrea Traylor, Lecturer, Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services 
First, tell us a little about yourself.
This is my first year at UNT! I live on a mini-farm, and I love animals. I love teaching.
Why did you choose to study public health?
I started out as a Chemistry major. I took two courses that changed my trajectory. The classes were paristology and food microbiology. Both classes were hands on: we did food inspections and researched outbreaks of diseases. I changed my major that semester!
What do you...
Meet Melissa Gaa, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services 
First, tell us a little about yourself.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor. I have a private practice in Grapevine, Texas, and have been working with individuals, families, and couples for more than 10 years. I am a native Texan, married, have two daughters and two dogs.
Why did you choose to study rehabilitation counseling?
I actually have a degree in counseling and my background is in clinical mental health. I’ve always wanted to be in the helping field.
...
Meet Dr. Linlang He, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration 
First, tell us a little about yourself.
I joined the Department of Public Administration this Fall as an Assistant Professor. I received my Ph.D. in Policy Studies from University of Maryland and I did my postdoctoral research at Michigan State University before joining UNT. I teach courses in public administration research methods, environmental policy analysis, and local government management.
Why did you choose to study public administration?
Promoting the public good.
...
Meet Ann-Marie Pence, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology 
First, tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Dallas with my husband and my dog. Our kids are grown and attending college. I was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, and completed my Bachelor of Science in Education at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. I received a Master of Science in Speech Pathology from the University of North Texas. Initially, I worked several years in rehab, and then transitioned to home health, hospitals, early intervention, public schools, and private practice. Throughout my 25+ year career, I have completed additional education in autism, auditory impairment, and assistive technology.
...
Meet Kayla Whitworth, Lecturer, Department of Social Work
First, tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, I’m Kayla Whitworth a licensed clinical social worker supervisor. I am excited to be starting my fourth year here at UNT. I live in Denton with my husband, Brian, our two daughters, ages 14 and 7, and our dog and cat.
Why did you choose to study social work?
During my undergraduate journey, I initially pursued a biology major, but it didn't take long for me to realize that it wasn't the right path for me. Recognizing the need to change majors, I decided to explore my options and sought assistance from...
The Klutts Family Scholarship will be open to graduate and undergraduate students with financial need.
DENTON (UNT), Texas – A new scholarship has been established for HPS students by UNT College of Health and Public Service alumni, Ben and Angie Klutts. The couple pledged $50,000 to support first-generation students, who demonstrate the need for financial assistance, have been with the university for at least one year, and have maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Ben Klutts graduated from the UNT criminal justice program in 2002 and went on to serve as an officer in his hometown of Rockwall, Texas....
The MPA program ranked high in multiple categories again this year.
DENTON (UNT), Texas – US News & World Report released their annual rankings, and programs in the UNT College of Health and Public Service continued to rank well among Texas and national peers. The Department of Public Administration M.P.A. program came in at No. 8 in the nation and No. 1 in Texas in local government management – up three places from last year. It ranked No. 10 in the nation and No. 2 in the state in the homeland security and emergency management category, and it ranked No. 18 in the nation and No. 1 in Texas in the public finance and budgeting category. The program also improved its overall ranking, coming in at No. 67 among the 269 public affairs graduate programs in the nation and holding...
The annual event is the largest gathering each year for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and students from across the state.
DENTON (UNT), Texas – Faculty and students from the University of North Texas College of Health and Public Service Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology headed to Austin Feb. 23-25 to attend the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) annual convention – an event that drew more than 3,000.
Lauren Mathews, clinical associate professor in the ASLP department, received the...
DENTON (UNT), Texas – Faculty in the University of North Texas College of Health and Public Service Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology reported preliminary findings of their ongoing grant, funded by the Hearing Industry Research Consortium, at the recent American Auditory Society conference. Their preliminary data suggest that exercising your ears by using hearing aids may improve brain responses to sound, cognition, perceived listening abilities, and behavioral listening performance in older adults. Prior to receiving hearing aids, most participants reported listening difficulties in noisy situations. After only two months of hearing aid use,...
What: University of North Texas College of Health and Public Service 2023 Master of Public Administration Annual Alumni-Student Conference: Managing in Polarizing Times
When: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. April 28 (Friday)
Where: UNT Gateway Center, 801 North Texas Blvd. in Denton
Media: Journalists interested in attending and/or discussing the event...
The 5-year program is funded by a $1,244,239 grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
DENTON (UNT), Texas – Dr. Miriam Chacon Boesch, associate professor in the UNT...
The honor “recognizes a faculty member, who has made outstanding and sustained contributions to scholarly-creative activity, teaching, and service and has served as an inspiration to the University of North Texas community.”
DENTON (UNT), Texas – Dr. Bland, who is part of the Department of Public Administration, started at UNT more than 40 years ago in 1982, and has dedicated his career to supporting students and tirelessly working to secure funding for scholarships, paid internships, and student-centric departmental initiatives. Throughout his time at UNT, he has served in leadership roles, including the inaugural chair of the newly formed Department of Public Administration in...
Smiles were beaming, tears were shed, and lives were changed at the event held at the facility on December 6.
DENTON (UNT), Texas – The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program in the UNT College of Health and Public Service Department of Criminal Justice, an international program that allows higher education professors to teach classes inside prisons, bringing college students together with incarcerated students to learn in an equitable setting, is the first in a Texas prison. At the event, both students inside the...
Dr. Lauren Ames Fischer, associate professor in the College of Health and Public Service Department of Public Administration, is part of a team that has received a National Science Foundation CIVIC 2022 Stage 1 Planning Grant to address urban water sustainability challenges. ...
Dr. Dhru Mukherjee, associate professor in the College of Health and Public Service Department of Social Work, will use the funds to address health disparities and the shortage in the healthcare workforce in DFW who are skilled in handling opioid and other substance use disorders in underserved communities. 
DENTON (UNT), Texas – With the 3-year funding from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Dr. Mukherjee, the principal investigator, will be collaborating with faculty in the college’s...
Dr. Sharon Miller, assistant professor in the College of Health and Public Service Department of Audiology and
Speech-Language Pathology, was part of a team of researchers whose work led the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to update their cochlear implant candidacy criteria to provide coverage for a broader spectrum of hearing loss.
DENTON (UNT), Texas – Dr. Miller was part of the CMS National Coverage Analysis that led to...
We’re excited to sponsor the UNT Food Pantry presented by Kroger again for October!
Please join us in supporting our students by dropping off any of the items listed below to Chilton Hall, Suite 289, or donate money online at this link.
There’s also a UNT Food Pantry Amazon Wish list if you’d like to donate there instead: https://bit.ly/UNTFoodPantryWishList
For more information on the UNT Food Pantry presented by Kroger, visit...
Dean Niki Dash explains how you can help those impacted by Hurricane Ian without adding to the chaos
Dr. Dash is an expert in emergency management and has personally experienced how good intentions can
sometimes go awry
DENTON (UNT), Texas – Watching Hurricane Ian track towards the coast of Florida the last few days reminded me of my own hurricane experience. Back in August 1992, I was living in Miami Beach waiting to start graduate school. Shortly before the semester began, Hurricane Andrew began to spin in the Atlantic. And as days went by, it became increasingly likely that the storm would make landfall somewhere in South Florida.
We evacuated off of Miami Beach as required and stayed with some family slightly to the northwest, but many people evacuated inland and south into areas that ultimately felt the brunt of Hurricane Andrew’s fury. Some of the same things...
They are currently seeking participants for the study, which will help determine factors that lead to successful hearing aid usage. 
DENTON (UNT), Texas – Faculty in the University of North Texas College of Health and Public Service Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology have received a sizable grant from the Hearing Industry Research Consortium to determine how emotions, psychological well-being, social relationships, stress and other factors impact whether adults continue to use hearing aids once they’re purchased. The study will include 40...
The group is meant to help reduce feelings of uncertainty and isolation for adults who stutter. 
DENTON (UNT), Texas – The University of North Texas College of Health and Public Service Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology is offering a support group for adults who stutter beginning July 6 at 6 p.m. Monthly meetings will be held at the UNT Speech and Hearing Center, located at 907 W. Sycamore St. in Denton, and will focus on support, education and resources.
“The UNT Speech and Hearing Center is very excited to collaborate with the National Stuttering Association to bring a much-needed support...
The UNT Speech and Hearing Center, located at 907 W. Sycamore St. in Denton, is now registering children for its Fall language and
literacy enrichment program.
DENTON (UNT), Texas – Dr. Theresa Kouri, principal lecturer and clinical director for speech-language pathology in the University of North Texas College of Health and Public Service (HPS) Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, and her team are using evidence-based multi-sensory and traditional educational practices that have been proven highly effective in preventing reading delays and strengthening pre-literacy skills.
Dr. Kouri says the testimonials from parents speak volumes.
“One parent from the past year’s program said, ‘My child now writes messages and letters every day. She is wanting to learn and practice letter, writing, and speech. She asks about letters and how to spell words. The amount...