college impact report | 2021

message from the dean

I’m proud of our college for our commitment to advancing critical research in human wellness, equipping students for their field and their future, and translating academic findings to improve lives.

Together we are focused on winning the battle against addiction, improving the quality of life for those suffering from debilitating neurological, cardiovascular and muscular disease, and helping span cultural divides through tourism and sport.

Over the past year, the college continues to make an impact on how we
live, work and play, including...

  • Leading international collaborations that identify diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
  • Training health educators with an eye toward health equity for special populations
  • Expanding pathways in the growing sport management discipline with specialized training through new partnerships and programming
  • Improving data for leaders to make informed decisions around tourism, one of the largest industries in the state

The future looks bright — I’m confident that our college and The Gator Nation will continue to rise above and move the world forward.

Go Gators!

Students & Programs

  • Enrollment: 2,802
  • No. of degree programs & certificates
    13 On-campus
    10 Online
  • Graduate & professional school acceptance rate: 68%
  • 5 Global study-abroad programs
  • Ph.D. Student graduation rate: 4.5 years
  • Undergraduate internship participation: nearly 100%

Alumni & Giving

  • 20k alumni worldwide
  • $2.2M total donations in 2020-2021
  • 982 donors
  • 761 alumni donors
  • 94% of gifts <$1,000
  • 57 Active endowments @ $30,000+ 

Faculty & Research

  • 20 new faculty added in 3 years
  • Active research funding: $8,000,000
  • Active research awards: 96
  • 164 research papers published
Selected faculty honors

20 Fellowships; highlights include...

  • Academy of Leisure Sciences
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • American College of Sports Medicine
  • American Psychological Association
  • American Psychological Society
  • National Academy of Kinesiology
  • North American Society for Sport Management
In the news


core initiatives


Enhancing Physical Performance

The Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology is home to more than a dozen laboratories dedicated to investigating the complex interactions among physical activity, muscle, heart, brain and age-related diseases.

  • 1 new cardiovascular training and rehabilitation facility
  • 18 leading laboratories with diverse funding from NASA, NIH, DoD and NSF

home of the Center for Exercise Science

A Focus on Movement
Promoting Healthy Living

Promoting Healthy Living

The Department of Health Education & Behavior is at the forefront in health promotion with research focused on public health problems including addiction and substance misuse, diet and nutrition, and sexual health.

  • 21 nationally-recognized scholars
  • 92-percent pass rate for graduates completing health education certification (24 percent higher than the national average)

home of the campus-wide Center for Behavioral Economic Health Research

Improving Health Outcomes

Expanding the Field of Play

The Department of Sport Management focuses on measuring and evaluating the impact of professional and amateur sports on the personal, social, economic, environmental and resource infrastructures of society.

  • 3 new faculty
  • 24 percent increase in degrees awarded in one year

future home of the Institute for Coaching Excellence

Bettering Society
Enriching Lives

Enriching Lives

As a hub of industry leaders and researchers, the Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management continues to deliver insights for one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The department addresses a range of important issues facing a widely traveled world.

  • 2 certificates in artificial intelligence
  • 26 industry advisory board members

home of the Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute

Visionary Travel Research and Insights
Building a Community of Belonging

Building a Community of Belonging

The Dean’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access Council strives to create a more inclusive environment, increase the diversity of our community, promote equity for all persons and provide open access to educational resources.

  • 6 council members spanning all departments
  • 5 events focused on diversity and inclusion open to the community
A Commitment to Inclusion

THANK YOU to all of our generous supporters

2021 Dean's Circle

Join the Dean's Circle today! Contact us.