Wellstar College of Health and Human Services News

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  • Kevin Huet

    Kennesaw State researchers examine Atlanta's World Cup moment

    June 11, 2026

    Situated in the Atlanta metropolitan area, Kennesaw State University has a loge-level seat to one of the premier sports cities in the U.S. Owl alumni work in the administrative offices of nearly every Atlanta professional sports team and sporting venue in the area, thanks in large part to the education they received at Kennesaw State. Many have studied under the tutelage of faculty in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management, the latter integrating their personal research interests to set up students for success beyond the classroom.

    Read More

  • decal leadership and ksu faculty

    DECAL leadership visits Wellstar College to highlight impact of two-generation grant

    June 08, 2026

    Members of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) leadership team visited Wellstar College at Kennesaw State University (KSU) on June 8, 2026, as part of statewide site visits to Community Impact Grant sites.

    Read More

  • Class of students viewing a presentation on center for research on Human sport performance and wellbeing

    Wellstar College Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management hosts NSCA Georgia State Clinic at KSU

    June 06, 2026

    ESSM at Kennesaw State set the stage for a standout event, welcoming 120 professionals, students, and practitioners to Prillaman Hall on June 6, 2026, for the prestigious NSCA Georgia State Clinic.

    Read More

  • KSU graduate wearing a cap and gown hugs another person on a sunny lawn, holding a bouquet of red roses and a teddy bear, conveying joy and celebration.

    Wellstar College celebrates spring 2026 graduates at KSU's 154th commencement

    May 12, 2026

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  • KSU Staff Awards

    Kennesaw State recognizes outstanding staff at annual awards ceremony

    April 30, 2026

    Kennesaw State University leaders on Wednesday presented awards to five of the institution’s most outstanding employees at its annual staff awards event at the KSU Center.

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  • Mitchell Zaplatosch

    KSU professor seeks to gamify hydration

    April 14, 2026

    Research shows that 47% of Americans fall short of optimal hydration, which can increase the risk of diabetes and other maladies. To address this, Kennesaw State University assistant professor Mitchell Zaplatosch wants to make a winnable game of staying hydrated.

    Read More

  • Ashley Singh

    Graduate student channels enthusiasm into social work leadership

    March 31, 2026

    Ashley Singh lives her life in all caps and exclamation points. A first-year graduate student in Kennesaw State University’s MSW/MBA dual degree program, Singh keeps a full calendar and an unabashedly positive attitude, much to the delight of her mentors.

    Read More

  • Brian Christopher (B.C.) Parnham

    Wellstar College of Health and Human Services Appoints B.C. Farnham, Ph.D. as Executive Director of the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth

    March 09, 2026

    Dr. Farnham brings an exceptional combination of leadership experience, scholarly expertise, and a deep commitment to inclusive education,” said Laurie Tis, Ph.D., Interim Dean of Wellstar College of Health and Human Services. “His vision and strategic perspective will help further strengthen the Academy’s mission while positioning KSU as a continued leader in inclusive postsecondary education.

    Read More

  • School of Nursing Scholarship Reception Celebrates Students and Donors

    School of Nursing Scholarship Reception Celebrates Students and Donors

    March 04, 2026

    The Wellstar School of Nursing at Kennesaw State University hosted its annual Scholarship Reception on March 4, 2026, welcoming students, donors, faculty, and community partners for an afternoon celebrating philanthropic impact and scholarly student success. Interim dean Laurie Tis, associate deans, scholarship recipients, and donors gathered to recognize the collective investment supporting the next generation of nurses.

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  • 2nd Place in the inaugural John Michael Student Poster Award

    KSU MSPO Graduate Students Earn National Recognition at 2026 AAOP Academy Annual Meeting

    March 03, 2026

    We are proud of our graduate students for representing Kennesaw State University (KSU) with professionalism and distinction while contributing to the continued advancement of the prosthetics and orthotics profession.

    Read More


laurie tis

Welcome to Wellstar College of Health and Human Services

I am honored and excited to serve as the Interim Dean of the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services (Wellstar College). As our mission states, we lead in transforming lives through high-quality, innovative educational programs, cutting-edge research, and dedicated service to our communities.

Wellstar College is home to:

· 5 graduate programs

· 7 undergraduate programs

· A wide array of Double Owl pathways

· Collaborative engagement with the Honors College

· A diverse selection of minors and certificate programs

Our students thrive in state-of-the-art laboratories, participate in undergraduate and graduate research, and gain practical, hands-on learning experiences. These opportunities translate into real-world skills, preparing them for the workforce of today and the challenges of tomorrow.

I am excited about the road ahead and invite you to walk it with us. We are building momentum toward national prominence—staying agile, bold, and responsive to the needs of our students and the communities we serve. With the passion of our KSU family, the strength of our partners, the trust of our stakeholders, and the generosity of our donors, we will not only achieve our vision—we will set a new standard for what is possible. And when we do, we will celebrate, together.

Laurie Tis
Interim Dean, Wellstar College of Health and Human Services  

 

Inside Wellstar College — where we are committed to Transforming Lives. Here, you’ll find the latest news, inspiring stories, and leadership insights. Explore how our faculty, staff, students, and donors are driving innovation and making a lasting impact in health and human services.

Archived News

  • ESSM hosts NSCA Georgia State Clinic at KSU


    KENNESAW, Ga. (June 6, 2026) - The Department of Exercise and Sport Management (ESSM) at Kennesaw State University welcomed nearly 120 professionals, students, and practitioners to Prillaman Hall on June 6 for the annual National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) Georgia State Clinic.

    Dr. Gerald T. Mangine, Director of the Center for Human Research in Sport Performance and Wellbeing and Professor of Exercise Science and Sport Management, opened the event by welcoming attendees from across Georgia and the Southeast, as well as visitors who traveled from as far as Virginia and New Jersey. In his remarks, Dr. Mangine highlighted the mission and impact of both Wellstar College's Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management and the Center for Research on Human Sport Performance and Wellbeing. 

    Designed to deliver high-quality continuing education unit (CEU) opportunities, the clinic provided a full day of applied learning through six hands-on sessions led by experts in the field. Topics included identifying central versus peripheral fatigue, strategies for safely training through pain led by a physical therapist, and innovative applications of the 1080 Sprint in performance enhancement and return-to-play protocols. Attendees also participated in a nutrition-focused lecture exploring how targeted nutrients can support tissue resilience and improve recovery outcomes when injury repair is delayed.

    The clinic also served as a platform to showcase student scholarship and research excellence at KSU. Four ESSM students presented research posters during a dedicated lunch session and again at the conclusion of the event, engaging attendees in meaningful discussion and knowledge exchange. These same projects will go on to represent Kennesaw State at the NSCA National Conference in July.

    The event concluded with a poster session and networking reception, offering attendees the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas with peers and industry professionals.

    Through events like the NSCA Georgia State Clinic, ESSM continues to demonstrate its leadership in advancing research and preparing the next generation of practitioners in exercise science and sport management.

  • A Journey of Resilience

    KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 28, 2024

    Dean Swahn Reflects on Immigration for National Immigrants Day.
     
    As National Immigrants Day unfolds, I reflect on my journey from Sweden to the United States and the profound impact it has had on my life and career. I feel so fortunate and grateful for my exciting journey. As the Dean of the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, I interact with many faculty, staff, and students, many of whom are also immigrants or thought leaders regarding immigration and the health and well-being of immigrants.

  • Kennesaw State celebrates investiture of Susan Dyess to nursing program endowed chair

    KENNESAW, Ga. | May 1, 2023 - Susan Dyess was installed as the director and Thomas M. and Elizabeth D. Holder Endowed Chair in Kennesaw State University’s Wellstar School of Nursing at an investiture ceremony on Friday morning. As the endowed chair, Dyess oversees the day-to-day operations of the nursing school, boosting opportunities for teaching, research and innovation in the nursing field. Read More!

    Wellstar College hosts Research and Engagement Day

    KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 19, 2023 - Kennesaw State University’s Wellstar College of Health and Human Services hosted its annual Research and Engagement Day (RED) on April 13 in Prillaman Hall, highlighting the college’s research, scholarship and community impact. Read more!
  • Associate Dean for Academic Affairs - Wellstar College of Health and Human Services

    Kennesaw State University is now accepting applications for a twelve-month, administrative faculty position as a tenured Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services with a preferred start of January 2023.

  • Kennesaw State professors receive $1M grant to prepare students for behavioral health careers

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Nov 9, 2021) — Kennesaw State University researchers have earned a $1 million federal grant to train students to provide suicide and drug abuse prevention services among youth in five counties across rural northwest Georgia.
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    Kennesaw State researchers to explore exercise interventions in treating Type 2 diabetes

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Oct 15, 2021) — Two Kennesaw State University researchers in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services have created a novel approach that may help slow the progression of Type 2 diabetes with just 40 minutes a week of exercise.
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    Grant cuts costs for students in Kennesaw State’s inclusive learning program

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Jul 20, 2021) — A new $25,000 grant from the Homer N. Allen Charitable Trust will provide scholarships for students in Kennesaw State University’s Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth. The trust has now awarded the academy a total of $100,000 over the past four years.
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    Summer research experience inspires Kennesaw State biochemistry major

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Jun 16, 2021) — Diagnosed with hypertension at a young age, Ami Eho sought to educate herself about cardiometabolic health issues that afflicted her and her family.
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    Active bodies, active minds

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Feb 19, 2018) — Some students are doing double-takes when they get their first look at a new classroom in Kennesaw State University’s Convocation Center.
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    Kennesaw State Alum Makes His Mark

    KENNESAW, Ga. (May 6, 2021) — Every morning, Zach Bazemore’s commute takes him to the base of Allegiant Stadium, the NFL’s newest coliseum and state-of-the-art home to the Las Vegas Raiders.
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    Kennesaw State exercise science professor wins mentor award

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Apr 23, 2021) — The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) has selected Kennesaw State University associate professor of exercise science Katherine Ingram as a 2021 CUR Faculty Mentor Awardee in Health Sciences.

    “I’m truly humbled to receive this award, but the real reward is in helping students achieve their goals,” Ingram said. “Through their experiences in my laboratory and in my classroom, they’re bringing their energy and perspectives and moving the research forward. While I give of myself in teaching and research, it’s nowhere near what I get in return when I see these students succeed.”

    Ingram has taught at Kennesaw State since 2012. She earned her B.S. in sport management from Tulane University, her M.S. in exercise physiology from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and her Ph.D. in exercise physiology with a nutrition minor from Georgia State. She also worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Alabama-Birmingham before arriving at KSU.

    Focusing on the impact of gestational obesity and inactivity on maternal metabolic health, Ingram has mentored 35 undergraduate researchers, fostering multi-mentor models, cross-disciplinary connections and participation in the entire research process that ranges from formulation of research questions and development of grant proposals to collection of data and communication of results.

    Established in 2018, the Council on Undergraduate Research’s Mentor Awards honor exceptional mentoring and advising by higher education faculty across all subdivisions of health sciences. Ingram joins associate professor Charles Parrott (2020) of the Department of Theatre & Performance Studies as KSU’s most recent Mentor Award recipient.

    – Dave Shelles

    KSU and Wellstar Health System announce exclusive $5 million endowment for honors nursing students

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Feb 2, 2021) — Kennesaw State University and Wellstar Health System announce the establishment of the Wellstar-Tom and Betty Phillips Elite Honors Nursing Scholarship, a new $5 million endowment that will create an opportunity for highly qualified undergraduate students to gain acceptance into the Wellstar School of Nursing as early as their freshman years.
    Read More!
  • Kennesaw State selects renowned public health scholar to lead Wellstar College

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Dec 23, 2020) — Kennesaw State University President Pamela Whitten and Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Kathy Schwaig have named Monica Swahn as dean of the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, effective March 1.
    Read More!

    Grad student seeks winning fitness formula

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Dec 9, 2020) — Grace Alexander came to Kennesaw State to learn how her body works and to improve its efficiency. The competitive triathlete has proven an apt pupil in the laboratory, in the classroom and on the course.
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    Fall 2020 Symposium of Student Scholars Live Blog

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Dec 3, 2020) — The Office of Undergraduate Research at Kennesaw State University hosted the first fall edition of the Symposium of Student Scholars on Dec. 3, 2020, a half-day university-wide conference in which undergraduate and graduate researchers presented their projects. The event, held virtually via Microsoft Teams, featured nearly 100 presentations taking place from 1-5 p.m. Just like the spring 2020 symposium, students were assigned unique access codes and timeslots for their virtual presentations.
    Read More!

    Competition offers hands-on experience for grant-writing students

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Nov 16, 2020) — Kennesaw State senior Kylie Burns decided to major in human services because she wanted a path into a career where she can make a difference.
    Read More!

    KSU alumna finds a spot on the team with Braves

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Oct 7, 2020) — Sophia Bowers connected a personal passion for sports with her professional and academic goals during her time at Kennesaw State University.
    Read More!

    KSU professor awarded research grant to explore diversity and inclusion

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Oct 19, 2020) — Kennesaw State University professor Jennifer Wade-Berg has been named the inaugural recipient of an American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Research Foundation grant promoting the study of diversity, equity and inclusion among associations.
    Read More!

    KSU professor awarded research grant to explore diversity and inclusion

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Oct 19, 2020) — Kennesaw State University professor Jennifer Wade-Berg has been named the inaugural recipient of an American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Research Foundation grant promoting the study of diversity, equity and inclusion among associations.
    Read More!

     

    KSU researcher awarded NIH grant for project on gestational diabetes risk

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Sep 21, 2020) — Gestational diabetes affects nearly one in 10 pregnancies and is associated with children facing an increased risk of obesity and diabetes as adults. Kennesaw State University researcher Katherine Ingram is tackling these transgenerational health issues through a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
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    KSU nursing professor earns career honor

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Sep 3, 2020) — Kennesaw State University nursing professor Doreen Wagner is among 230 distinguished nurse leaders to join the 2020 Class of Fellows in the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) for her contributions to advancing public health.
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    KSU exercise science professor earns young researcher award

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Aug 5, 2020) — Kennesaw State University associate professor of exercise science Gerald Mangine has earned the Terry J. Housh Outstanding Young Investigator Award from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
    Read More!

     

    Grant for KSU academy will help create job opportunities

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Jul 15, 2020) — The Office of Diversity and Inclusion has been awarded a grant from the Administration for Community Living which will allow Kennesaw State’s Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth to create more work opportunities within the university for individuals with disabilities.
    Read More!

     

    KSU researcher publishes study on flexible children’s prosthetics

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Jun 3, 2020) — Adults with prosthetic legs live full lives thanks to prostheses that flex at the knee. Children, however, have traditionally received stiff prostheses with no knee bend because conventional wisdom promoted that stiff legs were better at developing neuromuscular stability.
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    WellStar Health System contributes nearly $9 million to expand KSU nursing program

    Partnership includes $2.5 million for student scholarships and a $6.2 million grant for new faculty and staff

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Feb 14, 2020) — Building on their longstanding relationship, Kennesaw State and WellStar Health System are partnering to address Georgia’s nursing shortage.

    In support of the University’s goal of doubling enrollment in its nursing program, WellStar will provide a $2.5 million gift to create an endowment that will fund annual nursing scholarships in perpetuity, and a grant worth $6.2 million over five years to fund the hiring of new nursing faculty and support staff.
    Read More!

  • Addressing adolescent mental health

    Interdisciplinary team working to develop support systems

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Oct 29, 2019) — Addressing the social and emotional health issues that middle and high school students face might not sound like a typical project for a student pursuing his master’s degree in information technology, but Jake Sciotto embraced the opportunity to help local children.
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    Prosthetics and orthotics graduate degree approved for Kennesaw State

    Program will be one of 13 nationwide

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Oct 16, 2019) — The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has approved a Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics at Kennesaw State University, making it the only university in Georgia and one of just 13 institutions nationwide to offer the degree program.
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    Doing a World of Good

    KSU graduate traveling abroad to study public health

    KENNESAW, Ga. (May 16, 2019) — Maria Mata plans to dedicate her career to addressing global health issues. She’s off to a good start, already traveling the world to gain experience in her chosen field.
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    Kennesaw State to offer new degree

    Board of Regents approves Bachelor of Science in Integrated Health Science

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Apr 14, 2020) — The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has approved a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Health Science for Kennesaw State University’s Wellstar College of Health and Human Services.
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    KSU Social Science Professors Awarded NIH Grant for Health Disparities Research

    Project to focus on chronic disease self-management for low-income African-American men

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Feb 28, 2019) — Three Kennesaw State University researchers studying health disparities among various rural and urban populations in Georgia have recently been awarded a National Institutes of Health grant.
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    170 KSU nursing graduates earn 100 percent pass rate

    WellStar School BSN grads are helping meet the need for nurses

    KENNESAW, Ga. (Jan 9, 2019) — All 170 of the WellStar School of Nursing’s 2018 bachelor’s degree graduates passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on their first attempt.
    Read More!