Brooks College of Health – Feb. 2026 Dean's Update

FEB. 2026 DEAN’S UPDATE

Dear BCH family,

It’s hard to believe that March 2026 is already here! Last month, we continued our collective efforts to support and strengthen our college. Below is a brief summary of our recent progress and initiatives.

S T R A T E G I C G R O W T H M O M E N T U M

26% UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATION GROWTH

88% GRADUATE APPLICATION GROWTH

Compared to Feb. ‘25, summer and fall

Largest increase in graduate applications among all UNF colleges.

ENROLLMENT CONVERSION STRATEGY

Working with UNF Admissions to convert qualified applicants into enrolled students.

LEADERSHIP SUPPORT

Deans collaborating with UNF leadership to ensure resources for sustained growth.

Compared to February 2025, our summer and fall undergraduate applications have increased by 26%, while graduate applications have risen by 88%—the largest increase among all colleges. This significant growth reflects our comprehensive promotion and marketing efforts across all programs over the past two years. We are working closely with Admissions to convert more qualified applicants into enrolled students for the summer and fall terms.

At the same time, the deans are collaborating with UNF leadership to ensure that BCH has the necessary resources and support to successfully manage the college’s rapid growth.

Meals on Wings Receives Support to Expand Community Impact

The Simply Healthcare Foundation, an Elevance Health company, recently provided generous support to the Brooks College of Health to help expand the impact of Meals on Wings, an initiative of the Center for Nutrition and Food Security at the University of North Florida.

287

Underserved older adults served weekly

236,000+

185,000+ lbs

Meals delivered Surplus food recovered

Meals on Wings addresses food insecurity among underserved older adults in Northeast Florida by recovering surplus prepared food from local hospitals and transforming it into nutritious, home-delivered meals. Since launching in 2018, the program has grown from serving 25 individuals to 287 older adults each week, delivering over 236,000 meals and recovering more than 185,000 pounds of food that would otherwise be wasted.

UNF students play a central role in the program, leading food recovery, packaging and meal delivery while gaining hands-on experience in community engagement and public health practice. Through this work, students develop leadership, teamwork and service skills while directly supporting vulnerable members of the community. The program will also expand through a new partnership with Edward Waters University.

Expand Community Partnerships to Support BCH

BCH deans and development officers are collaborating closely with department chairs and unit leaders to identify strategic priorities and align them with appropriate community partners and individual donors. Through these coordinated efforts, BCH is strengthening external partnerships to secure the resources and philanthropic support necessary to advance key initiatives across the college.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Advisory Board Meeting

BCHdeans attended the ClinicalMentalHealthCounseling AdvisoryBoard Meeting.Following theprogram’s enrollmentdoublinginfall2025, the programconvened its first advisory board meeting this month. The board includes distinguished community health leaders connected to CMHC, along with alumniandcurrent student representatives.

Program Growth Community Leaders

Enrollment doubled in fall 2025.

Brooks

Board includes community health leaders, alumni and students.

Duringthemeeting, board members engaged with faculty to discuss the potentialcommunity , andcurriculum updates aligned with industry trends and p p oritize transparency, collaboration and open communication across the college community.

Future Planning

Discussion focused on curriculum updates, partnerships and resources.

BCH hosted its Spring Town Hall Meeting, bringing faculty and staff together to share updates and discuss key initiatives shaping the college’s future. Over the past several years, BCH leadership has prioritized transparency and collaboration across the college community. We are encouraged to see a positive shift in morale and a shared commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and student success.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Women with Heart Luncheon

BCH leaders and supporters attended the 10th Annual Volunteers in Medicine Women with Heart Luncheon in support of the organization’s mission.

This annual event honors women leaders in the Jacksonville community who champion healthcare access for the working uninsured.

Clinical & Applied Movement Sciences – Open House

Tour of Kinesiology & Athletic Training Labs

Meetings with Program Directors 30 Prospective Students Attended

BCH Welcomes Future Ospreys

BrooksCollegeofHealthproudlyparticipatedin UNF’sAdmittedOspreysDay,welcomingapproximately 200newlyadmittedstudentsandtheirfamilies.

AdmittedStudentsandFamiliesEngaged

Programs