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Auburn University and the College of Human Sciences became the focal point for the Board on Health & Human Sciences (BHHS) and the Council of Administrators of Family and Consumer Sciences (CAFCS) Spring Meeting Feb. 11-13 as dozens of leaders and administrators of higher education in health and human sciences from universities across the country descended upon Auburn’s campus.

For the first time ever, the BHHS Spring Meeting was held on a university campus as the conference theme, “Unveiling Excellence: Integration, Innovation, Impact,” focused on excellence in the health and human sciences and highlighted the remarkable achievements and contributions within the field of health and human sciences.

The trip to Auburn, with the College of Human Sciences hosting, resulted in a 25% increase in attendance compared to previous years.

With participants attending sessions in the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center and The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center, the conference allowed for plenty of interdisciplinary collaboration through informative workshops, networking, listening to engaging keynote speakers, sharing best practices and more to continue dedication to creating a culture of excellence in the health and human sciences. Leaders from universities such as The Ohio State University, Colorado State University, The University of North Texas, Florida State University, The University of Georgia and more representing 19 states and the District of Columbia states were on hand for the conference.

“It’s an honor for the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University to host this national conference, bringing together some of the foremost leaders in our field,” said Susan Hubbard, dean of the College of Human Sciences. “This event not only showcases the strength of our programs but also gives visitors the chance to engage in meaningful dialogue and share insights while experiencing the hospitality of Auburn and the integrity of our institution. As the first college to host this gathering, it is our privilege to launch a new tradition for the Board on Health and Human Sciences.”

On day one, conference attendees had the opportunity to tour the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center — The 142,000 square foot six story state-of-the-art facility that’s home to the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management providing students with unparalleled hands-on learning experiences to prepare them to be top leaders in the hospitality industry when they finish their degree at Auburn.

“It’s an honor for the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University to host this national conference, bringing together some of the foremost leaders in our field."

College of Human Sciences Dean Susan Hubbard

Erik Porfeli, professor and chair of human sciences at The Ohio State University and chair of the BHHS, was extremely impressed by the Rane Center and its offerings after taking a tour before the welcome reception to open the conference.

“What’s top of mind after taking a tour of the Rane Center is just how enviable of a building this is,” said Porfeli. “I can see how this facility could completely change a student’s mind and influence them to take a path that involves the College of Human Sciences.”

Day two of the conference was highlighted by a keynote address from Horst Schulze, cofounder and former CEO of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, that focused on the importance of those in leadership positions needing clear vision and purpose to achieve a successful educational model.

“My mission was to build the finest hotel company in the world — that was my mission and purpose,” said Schulze. “How can you lead without vision and purpose? You cannot. You have to know where you are going and that is missing in a lot of places today leading to a leadership crisis. We must tell employees not to work with me but join me to create excellence.”

Auburn’s Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management proudly bears Schulze’s name and that’s in large part due to his commitment to excellence in everything he does. Later in his address, Schulze talked about his disdain for excuses and how employees at all levels should be viewed as much more than a person to fulfill a function.

“The chair on which you are sitting is fulfilling a function,” said Schulze. “As a human being, we go to work to fulfill a function too, but those functions have to have a higher intent otherwise we are nothing but a chair. Organizations hire different people to fulfill a function rather than be part of a beautiful purpose that you have set, which is the beginning of leadership. Leadership is having a purpose for something in the future.”

Some of the other sessions at the conference included exploring AI applications in the human sciences across campus, shaping tomorrow's leaders through mentorship, risk in higher education, understanding budget models in higher education, human sciences extension spotlights and building a culture of graduate student mentorship.

For more information on the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University, click below.

College of Human Sciences at Auburn University

For more information on the Board on Health & Human Sciences (BHHS), click below.

BHHS