Penn State College of Health and Human Development
What is Health and Human Development?

Diverse fields of study that share one
common goal: enriching the lives of others.

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Research Projects in Response to COVID-19

As part of Penn State’s response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has awarded seed-funding for COVID-19 projects university-wide. The projects span six core research areas and the College of Health and Human Development has received multiple funding awards for these projects.

Computer screen with a conference call for HHD on Location Home edition.

Virtual events that connect you with HHD experts

HHD On Location: Home Edition hosts exciting virtual conversations between our faculty and alumni and delivers news and updates about exciting new initiatives and programming. 

Peter Kretschmer working at Juniper Village in State College.

Peter Kretschmer helps keep seniors safe

HPA senior Peter Kretschmer has been working tirelessly at the senior living community Juniper Village in State College to keep residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Stay connected to your alma mater

As a Penn State College of Health and Human Development alum, we encourage you to stay connected with the university, your college, and your peers long after you leave Penn State.

What is HHD?
Call to Action - Undergraduate on state

Dean's Lecture Series

The Impact of Structural Racism and Racial Discrimination on Health, Wellness, and Well-Being

Screening of the film 'The Skin You’re In' followed by live Q&A with producer Thomas LaVeist

September 24, 4:00 p.m. via Zoom

Thomas A. LaVeist, dean and Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Health Equity at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, will screen The Skin You're In, a documentary he produced that explores why black Americans live sicker and die younger than any other ethnic group in the nation and offers real solutions. Dr. LaVeist will then participate in a question and answer session with attendees of this virtual event.

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Hannah Bucher
Student spotlight
May 2026 graduate receives undergraduate thesis award

Hannah Bucher, HPA '26, was named the 2026 Robert F. Guentter Jr. Grand Prize Winner for her thesis titled, "Transforming Settlements into Programs: Linking Funded Opioid Interventions in Pennsylvania to Research-Supported Strategies." Congrats, Hannah!

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Qiaofeng Ye and Idan Shalev in their laboratory, loading a plate of samples into an analyzer
Child abuse may be connected to changes in development, body regulation