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Rafael Bahamonde named founding dean of School of Health and Human Sciences

For Immediate Release Mar 29, 2019

INDIANAPOLIS – IUPUI Chancellor Nasser H. Paydar has announced the appointment of Rafael Bahamonde as founding dean of the School of Health & Human Sciences, effective July 1, subject to formal approval by the Indiana University Board of Trustees.

Rafael Bahamonde portrait
Rafael Bahamonde.Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana University

Bahamonde has served as interim dean of the school since it was officially established in July 2018 as a result of the merger of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management, or PETM. Prior to Bahamonde’s tenure as interim dean of the new school, he served as interim dean of PETM.

He has served on the IUPUI faculty since 1996 and has held a number of other administrative positions, including associate dean and chair of the Department of Kinesiology.

“We look forward to the experience and expertise that Rafael Bahamonde brings to this new leadership role. He understands the long and productive history of the School of Health & Human Sciences, with its roots in the schools of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and Physical Education and Tourism Management, and he has the vision to continue the positive trajectory of the school as he leads it into the future,” Paydar said.

The IU Board of Trustees approved the restructuring in 2017, which created a larger, more robust academic entity filling many needs for students while also giving faculty more opportunities to excel in teaching, research and scholarship, and service. Staff can capitalize on synergies to collaborate and grow opportunities that will better serve students. 

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Under Bahamonde’s leadership, the School of Health & Human Sciences has unified eight departments offering 14 degree programs, 13 certificates and nine minors at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Coming this August, the school will offer a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program at IU Fort Wayne.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve as the founding dean of the School of Health & Human Sciences,” Bahamonde said. “I look forward to continuing the positive growth and development of this new school that is dedicated to improving people’s health and well-being and contributing to the economic development of the city through our tourism and sports management programs.”

Bahamonde is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and received his doctorate in human performance in sport biomechanics from IU Bloomington. He is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports. He has also been involved in the promotion of undergraduate research and the advancement of underrepresented minorities in higher education.

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