UNCW School of Health and Applied Human Sciences

We are saddened to share that our colleague and friend, Rebecca Clark ‘20M passed away on August 6.

Rebecca worked with the Healthful Living and Fitness Education faculty in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences and the Physical Education and Health Specialization graduate students in conjunction with Watson College of Education. She was a passionate educator whose time, talents, and treasure impacted everyone she encountered. Her warm smile and big hugs will be missed. Additional details about Rebecca’s life and ways to honor her memory are available via her online obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/wilmington-nc/rebecca-clark-12994107

Please keep Rebecca’s family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts. Grief support is available to students through the University Counseling Center(910.962.3746). For faculty and staff, support is available through the Employee Assistance Program and Headspace Care(an app offered in partnership with the UNC System that provides confidential, on-demand emotional and mental health support).

Congratulations to Brent Hawkins, professor and Recreation Therapy program coordinator, who has been selected to represent the United States at the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in Wollongong, Australia. Beginning in late October, eight nations will compete over 15 days for the top prize.

Recreation Therapy student and CHHS Student Ambassador Julia Brissie has been selected as a Peg Connolly Scholar through the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). This prestigious national recognition honors emerging leaders in the field of therapeutic recreation and provides support to attend ATRA's national conference.

The Peg Connolly Scholarship provides funding for conference registration, lodging, and other associated expenses, allowing Julia to participate in ATRA's national conference and further her professional development as an emerging leader in therapeutic recreation.

As a CHHS Student Ambassador, Julia has represented both the Recreation Therapy program and the College with professionalism, leadership, and dedication. This opportunity allows her to represent UNCW on the national stage while engaging with professionals, educators, and advocates from across the country.

Haley Kinne-Norris, a graduate of the Gerontology (GRN) program and a CHHS Hall of Fame inductee, is featured and quoted in a recent The Assembly article exploring the impact of the Liberty Games on older adults and senior communities across North Carolina. As Corporate Director of Life Enrichment and Wellness for Liberty Senior Living, Kinne-Norris shares insights on how programs like the Liberty Games foster connection, purpose, and healthy aging. Click here to learn more: https://bit.ly/4glRI3p (Photo credit: Chase Cofield for The Assembly)

The Recreation Therapy program and Campus Recreation are partners in offering inclusive, adaptive recreation opportunities for all abilities and interests. From wheelchair sports like tennis, basketball, rugby, and ultimate frisbee to goal ball and yoga, there’s something for everyone – and a new website where you can find resources, equipment, and opportunities all in one place. Click here to learn more: https://uncw.edu/seahawk-life/health-wellness/campus-recreation/adaptive-recreation

After a global health internship in Peru helped reshape her career path, UNCW graduate Nicky Mendoza is turning her passion for public health into a career focused on community impact. After graduating this May, Mendoza is taking the next step in healthcare and health policy while continuing her commitment to making care more compassionate and accessible for others. Read more here: https://uncw.edu/news/academic-affairs/chhs/2026/05/uncw-graduate-pursues-public-and-global-health-career

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UNCW researchers Department of Computer Science Professor Karl Ricanek Jr. and School of Health and Applied Human Sciences Associate Professor Alex McDaniel have been awarded NCInnovation funding to advance NeuroWeaveAI, a groundbreaking fabric based brain health monitoring platform designed for at home use.

This technology has the potential to transform how we understand sleep and neurological health—especially for people living with TBI, PTSD, epilepsy, and chronic sleep disorders. By combining fabric-as-a-sensor tech, AI-driven analysis, secure neural data handling, and a mobile app, the team is bringing long term brain monitoring out of the clinic and into everyday life.

With support from NCInnovation and partnerships like Wilmington-based Nuream Inc., the first commercial product—a smart pillowcase—is expected to be the first commercial application
Read the full story:

Brain-Health Monitoring Technology Selected for NCInnovation Funding A research team developing an at-home, fabric-based neural sleep monitoring platform is the latest from UNC Wilmington to be selected for NCInnovation funding. The NCInnovation Board of Directors unanimously approved $7.9 million in funding to support nine applied research projects across North Caro...

Prior to commencement, the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences recognized outstanding students in each degree program. These awards recognize those who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, service, and dedication to their fields of study. Congratulations to all!

Four CHHS faculty, along with a faculty member in the Department of Psychology, have been awarded FY27 internal catalytic funding through Research and Innovation’s Charles L. Cahill Grants for Faculty Scholarship.

Their interdisciplinary project, “HPV Vaccination Rates Among College-Aged Males,” will explore peer-led strategies to improve awareness, access and vaccination uptake among young adults.

Congratulations to :
Mudassar Arain, clinical assistant professor, School of Nursing
Maria Espinosa-Hernandez, professor and chair, Department of Psychology
Diane Parker, clinical assistant professor, School of Nursing
Shaila Strayhorn-Carter, assistant professor, School of Health and Applied Human Sciences
Erin Wax, clinical assistant professor, School of Nursing

Click here to learn more: https://uncw.edu/news/research/2026/05/fy27-catalytic-funding-awardees?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=swoop&utm_content=SWOOP%3A+May+12%2C+2026

Soaring high in the classroom and on gameday, Skylar Spencer ’26 has been successful in keeping an important secret ... that Sammy C. Hawk is aspecialistin recreation therapy.

Spencergraduated from therecreationtherapy program this May, with aspirations to become a certified recreation specialist. She serves as theassistantcoordinator ofadaptiverecreation,where she is tasked with learning and teaching others about various adaptive sports, how toutilizeadaptiveequipmentand helpingfacilitatebi-weekly adaptive sports nights.

Read more about Skylar’s journey here: https://uncw.edu/news/seahawk-stories/2026/05/spencer-skylar