The HHD Heroes Award

About the Award:
The CSUN Health and Human Development Heroes Award honors and recognizes a community member who has gone above and beyond in their profession, who has overcome barriers, and who has made a significant impact through extraordinary work to improve and/or save the lives of others.

Since the 1970s, the College of Health and Human Development* (HHD) at CSUN has prided itself on being one of the region’s leading educators of professionals in this field. Our footprint is large in this region, and it touches every health and human services industry from allied health care, such as nursing, physical therapy and speech-language pathology to recreation, hospitality and tourism, environmental health, apparel merchandising and interior design, nutrition and assistive technology services.

With the inception of the HHD Heroes Award, we recognize the success and accomplishments of a professional in this field and bestow this award.

While there are many heroes in the HHD professions, every other year, the College, in partnership with the HHD Dean’s Circle, will select an individual and bestow upon them a Health and Human Development Heroes Award to celebrate their achievements.  The heroes we seek are role models for our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community. 

The Criteria:

• The candidate has a track record of excellence in their profession, contributing to society and overcoming obstacles to achieve success.
• The candidate shall exhibit a high degree of character and integrity.
• The candidate agrees to attend the award event (date to be determined) on the CSUN campus.
• The candidate can be CSUN or Non-CSUN affiliated.

About our Benefactors, Christine and Owen Smith

The HHD Heroes Award is made possible by an endowment created by the generous bequest of Christine and Owen Smith. Both were faculty at CSUN, and Christine served as a founding member of the HHD Dean’s Circle. The Smiths loved and were very dedicated to students and the development of HHD.

Since 1958, HHD students, faculty, staff, and community have worked to make life better for others. The College serves to enhance, enrich, and empower the human experience. Our alumni and partners are in professions that improve health and well-being, fitness and activity, and living environments for individuals, families, and communities.

*As the College and University grew and developed, HHD was known by various titles such as the School of Fine Arts and Professional Studies; the School of Communication and Professional Studies; the School of Communication, Health and Human Services; and ultimately, the College of Health and Human Development.