Funding by Area
College of Health and Human Services
Support future health leaders
The NAU College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) is meeting critical workforce needs by preparing students with the knowledge, clinical training, and ability to provide culturally responsive care in rural, Tribal, and underrepresented communities across Arizona and beyond.
Whether you choose to support clinical placements, endowed faculty, or another area you value, your investment will help shape the next generation of healthcare providers, public health leaders, and service professionals.
Elevate Access for students
Scholarships
Fundraising goal: $50,000
Every student deserves access to an excellent education—but for many, cost remains the greatest barrier. At NAU, 97 percent of students receive financial aid, ensuring that cost never stands in the way of ambition. A gift of $50,000 supports one student for an academic year; $500,000 supports ten. Your generosity opens doors and gives students the freedom to focus on learning.
Elevate Access for students
Student Emergency Fund
Fundraising goal: $100,000
Many Lumberjacks are balancing more than just coursework: they are veterans, parents, full-time employees, and first-generation students. When unexpected financial hardships arise, these students often face the difficult choice between staying in school or stepping away. This immediate-use fund helps students overcome short-term challenges—like housing insecurity or medical bills—that can threaten their well-being and derail their academic progress. Your support helps ensure that temporary setbacks don’t become barriers to graduation.
The 100% Career Ready initiative equips students with confidence, experience, and real-world skills.
Read moreElevate Academic excellence
100% Career Ready Initiative
Fundraising goal: $250,000
Internships, conferences, and study abroad opportunities open doors that change the course of students’ lives. They present research on national stages, gain global and cultural perspectives, connect with industry leaders, and build professional networks that launch meaningful careers. Yet the costs of travel, lodging, and registration can put opportunities out of reach. Your support removes that barrier, ensuring every CHHS student has access to the experiences that prepare them to be workforce-ready from day one.
Elevate Academic excellence
Clinical Placement Travel
Fundraising goal: $500,000
Clinical placements are essential to health and human services education, providing students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, public health agencies, and community organizations. At NAU, many of these experiences take place in rural and Tribal communities, where students learn to deliver culturally responsive care and address pressing health disparities. But travel to remote sites—covering costs like gas, meals, and lodging—can be a financial barrier. Your investment ensures that students can pursue these critical, hands-on experiences without hardship, preparing them to serve where they are needed most.
Elevate Academic excellence
Experiential Learning
Fundraising goal: $3 million
In CHHS, students learn through hands-on experience—whether practicing in state-of-the-art simulation labs, collaborating across disciplines, or serving communities through clinical placements. These experiences ensure our graduates enter the workforce with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in their careers. Your investment will expand access to these transformative learning opportunities.
Elevate Academic excellence
Transdisciplinary Education
Fundraising goal: $3 million
Health and human services challenges rarely fit neatly into one discipline. This initiative will bring students and faculty together across health, science, and service professions to tackle complex problems with creativity and collaboration. With your support, we will expand faculty research and develop innovative curricula in
interprofessional education—preparing graduates who can bridge disciplines, work with shared purpose, and drive meaningful improvements in health and community well-being.
Elevate faculty impact
Endowed Faculty
Fundraising goal: $500,000
Endowed faculty positions empower CHHS to attract and retain distinguished teacher-scholars in healthcare, public health, and human services. These faculty not only drive high-impact research and forge vital community partnerships, but also mentor students directly, preparing them to excel as professionals committed to improving lives. Your investment ensures CHHS remains a leader in educating Arizona’s next generation of health and service professionals.
Learn how the Dental Hygience Clinic serves the greater community and helps students like Catherine Orth, ’25.
Read training tomorrow’s hygienistsElevate the campus experience
Community Health Clinics
Fundraising goal: $3 million
Across Arizona, families depend on our health clinics for essential, affordable care. From restoring mobility in the Physical Therapy Clinic to providing preventive oral health in the Dental Hygiene Clinic to supporting patients of all ages in the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, these services are a lifeline for communities facing critical healthcare shortages. At the same time, students gain supervised, real-world experience that prepares them to enter the workforce with confidence and compassion. Your support will expand access for patients, upgrade facilities and equipment, and sustain the outreach programs that keep these clinics thriving.
Stories of impact
View all
Leading research for Athletic Training
Combining her passions for sports and healthcare, Monica Lininger, PhD, joined NAU to advance the Athletic Training program.
Training tomorrow’s hygienists
NAU dental hygiene students gain hands-on experience while delivering essential care.
A love story sustained in small, steady notes
This decades-long love story was shaped by a shared passion for choral music and steadfast generosity.