The School of Human Kinetics (SHK) was excited to welcome students, administrative personnel and professors back to campus full time this past September. We were quick to adapt and respond to ongoing challenges arising from transitioning back to in-person learning, with considerable administrative personnel turnover.
Our School continues to thrive despite these challenges, climbing eight spots in the QS World Rankings to 18th in the world in sport-related subjects — fourth highest in Canada. This past year, the University of North Texas ranked our own Sport Management program seventh in the world for programs of its kind and top in Canada.
Academic activities and initiatives
This year, we hosted a major international conference in May, the Canadian Congress of Leisure Research, led by Paul Heintzman.
At the undergraduate level, we’ve looked to foster Francophone student recruitment and retention by creating new programs covering both undergraduate and graduate students. The BHK in Education and Coaching and the Bachelor of Education allow students to graduate with Ontario teaching certification. Students admitted complete two degrees in five years instead of six. An English-language integrated program is being developed and should be up and running in 2024-2025.
We’ve also created integrated programs that combine an Honours Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics and a Master of Health Sciences in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy). In just five years, students will be able to complete two degrees.
To enrich our current undergraduate programs, we’ve partnered with the uOttawa CO-OP program. Students will have the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge across HK disciplines through high-quality paid internships.
Finally, our BScHK Applied Studies in Kinesiology program has received official recognition and equivalence for kinesiology programs in Quebec. Graduates now have easier access to practice in Ontario and Quebec.
At the graduate level, students were represented by a committed group of peers. The HK Graduate Student Association quickly got to work re-opening its student space and offices, creating a much-needed sense of community. Academic and social events took place during the year, with workshops being offered. The year ended with a successful graduate student conference.
Academic and community services
Building on recruitment initiatives from last year, we received another $10,000 from a University of Ottawa special fund to promote our programs to high school students in Ontario Francophone schools. Dr. Alexandra Arellano reached out to French-speaking SHK alumni to create an SHK TikTok account and an Instagram accounts showcasing short video clips presenting research and teaching labs and life as a SHK student.
To help support mental health and wellness in our school community, we provided workshops in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Commission. With support through the HALO-CHEO/SHK Research Day fund, two mental health first aid training sessions and two total working mind sessions for students, administrative personnel and professors were organized, with strong participation.
Finally, the Human Kinetics student associations (HKSA and HKGSA) and SHK hosted a Student Professor Hockey Challenge, in conjunction with the HKGSA end of year formal. The event raised $1,795 for the Do It For Daron mental health charity.
Governance
Alexandra Arellano will be completing her term as assistant director undergraduate studies. Dr. Arellano has served in this role for four and a half years under extremely difficult circumstances yet has accomplished great things during her tenure. She led the laborious cyclical review of our undergraduate program and was responsible for developing multiple programs. We’re extremely grateful for her excellent work and dedication. We’re also grateful to François Gravelle, who has agreed to step into the assistant director undergraduate role.
In January 2023, Catherine Desforges agreed to serve as interim administrative assistant to the director. Catherine has been working for our School for the past two years and has provided much-needed stability to our operations.