AHS Reaches Out to Doctoral Students
Megan Brett-Hamilton (L) and Kelsie Kelly explained why they chose to pursue doctoral degrees at Illinois.
About two dozen prospective doctoral students from across the country and around the world attended the College of Applied Health Sciences’ 2nd annual Ph.D.
Information Day on Saturday, November 3. The event offers participants who are thinking about pursuing doctoral degrees in kinesiology, community health,
speech and hearing science, and recreation, sport, and tourism the opportunity to learn about programs offered by the College, and to talk with current students,
faculty, and recent graduates.
Students attending the event hailed from Ghana, Korea, Boston, Michigan, New York, and Illinois. Some of those attending are currently pursuing master’s degrees within the
College of Applied Health Sciences at Illinois. They heard from Dr. Bill Stewart, who in addition to being a professor in the Department of Recreation, Sport and
Tourism is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Applied Health Sciences and Acting Head of the Department of Speech and Hearing Science. Making his
passion for his work evident in his remarks, Dr. Stewart said, “Nothing is more exciting and more gratifying than owning knowledge and creating knowledge that will
change the world.” He stressed the importance to society of research in areas related to the applied health sciences, as well as the shortage of PhDs in AHS fields.
Jeremy Robinett (L) and Mariela Fernandez talked about what it’s like to be a PhD student in AHS.
Those attending the informational event also heard from current doctoral students, who talked about why they decided to pursue PhDs, why they chose to do so at Illinois,
and what it’s like to be a doctoral student in AHS. Alumni also joined the conversation, telling attendees how their experiences at Illinois prepared them for their careers
in academia and consulting.
Prospective students were able to interact informally with current doctoral students and faculty during lunch, after which they were invited to visit the departmental
units of AHS, meet with additional faculty, and tour departmental research facilities.