College of Applied Health Sciences (AHS)

Summary

Imagine a world where aging is an enriching and positive experience; where healthy, diverse communities thrive; where wounded veterans further their education using innovative treatment and educational technologies; and where people with disabilities have all the tools and knowledge they need to succeed. At the College of Applied Health Sciences, we focus on building a world where wellness is the norm. Our integrated view of how health, lifestyle, diversity, the environment, and community fit together to determine our quality of life is what helps us propel bright minds. Our students have an unmatched, personalized experience that focuses on a simple premise—how can I make this a better world? As we leverage our position as an international leader and innovator in health, aging, and disability research and solve some of the planet’s most pressing issues, we are proud of the fact that finding solutions to global challenges is our number one goal.

Priorities

Creating a Hub of Research, Outreach, and Education

The McKechnie Family LIFE Home is a cutting-edge research center focused on innovations in home environments. Its vision is Living in Interactive Future Environments. The 5,700 sq. ft. facility mimics existing home dwellings (i.e., typical home of today) as well as provides space for the development of next generation smart homes (i.e., house of tomorrow) that would allow people of all ages and abilities to live fuller, healthier, and autonomous lives. Spaces include a two-bedroom home; an attached garage; multi-purpose research and collaboration rooms; outdoor areas; and capacity for community engagement. The research and development efforts performed in this facility focus on developing and testing new technologies to support independent living, healthcare needs, social interaction, and everyday activities. The collaborative spaces provide a hub for research teams, industry partners, clinicians, technology and disability-centered classes, and community engagement.

Serving Our Students

We will continue developing the intellectual leaders of tomorrow by recruiting and supporting top students who want to serve humanity. We seek to increase endowed and current use scholarship funds by $2.5M over 5 years at $500K/year.

Supporting Faculty

Your support of Illinois ensures we continue to attract our greatest asset, accomplished and driven community members. It is our hope to establish at least one new endowed professorship per year at $500K each–$2.5M Total.

Sharing Our Knowledge

We are finding answers to global issues by leveraging our collaborations in engineering, medicine, and technology. We are anticipating and acting on emerging health sciences need. We seek to share our wealth of knowledge by establishing multiple college level lecture series/symposia at $250K each and multiple department and/or college level program endowments for$2M total.

Endowing the Chez Veterans Center

A culture of excellence depends, in part, on an excellent infrastructure, and innovative programming and services. An investment in the Chez Veterans Center ensures that our student veterans have all the opportunities and support they need in which to work, create, live, and learn. The college seeks to establish a permanent $10M endowment to support the Chez Veterans.