Tammy Wynard

Tammy is a creative public health and education advocate. Her research agenda focuses on the professional preparation of knowledge and skills related to trauma-informed approaches with those planning on or currently working in the education, human service, and health disciplines. She is the Program Director of the online graduate certificate in Trauma-Informed Educational Practices for Children & Adolescents and the online Master of Arts degree in Trauma-Informed Practice. Both programs are designed to create agents of change in the community and schools. Her family's experience serving as a foster home for ten years has been pivotal in her work focused on trauma-informed approaches steeped in equity, strength, and healing.

Tammy's academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in Community Health Education from Illinois State University, followed by a graduate degree in School and College Health Education from Indiana University. Her diverse work experience as a Health Educator in Public Health and School Health, spanning roles in a large health department, a hospital setting, and as a middle and high school health education teacher, has honed her expertise. These real-world experiences have shaped her career and fueled her passion for higher education, where she prepares the next generation of health and education professionals while collaborating with others to create positive, sustainable change for children and families. 

Since 2004, Tammy has been imparting her knowledge and expertise through face-to-face and online teaching. Her journey at North Central College began in 2011 when she joined as a full-time faculty member. She was appointed Department Chair of Kinesiology in the summer of 2016, overseeing the academic disciplines of Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Sport Management, and Health Science. Her role expanded as she took on the position of Department Chair of Health Sciences, leading faculty in Sport Management, Health Science, and Nutrition Science, and also served as the Interim Director of Graduate Leadership Programs from the summer of 2020 through the spring of 2021. She stepped down as Chair in May of 2022 to focus on her Ph.D. studies in Health Sciences at Northern Illinois University, further enhancing her professional development.

Please follow the links below for the programs in which Tammy is directly involved at North Central College.

Trauma-Informed Practice Programs - https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/program/trauma-informed-practices

Health Science Major https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/program/health-science

Community Health Promotion Minor https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/program/community-health-promotion

Selected Scholarship

Clucas Walter, M. & Wynard, T. (2024). Preparing educators to support SEL: The foundational role of trauma-informed training. Social and Emotional Learning: Research, Practice, and Policy, 5, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sel.2024.100071 

Wynard, T., Voss, M., McCann, N., & McCleave, N. (2024). A case study example to train interprofessional teams in addressing the social determinants of health in older adults. Home Healthcare Now, 42(5), 277–284. https://doi.org/10.1097/NHH.0000000000001286 

Wynard, T. (2024, March 19-21). Inclusion of diverse voices: Incorporating social media posts [Conference session]. Society for Public Health Education Annual Conference. St. Louis, MO.

Wynard, T., Glynn, N., & Allen, L. (2023, June 22-23). Voices & voids: feedback from participants of trauma-informed trainings [Online conference session]. Trauma-Informed Educators Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, United States.

Arman, T., Selsky, K., & Wynard, T. (2023, March 9-10). Trauma-informed care and pedagogy in athletic training education [Conference session]. Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association Annual Conference, Wheeling, IL, United States.

Ellison, D., Wynard, T., Walton-Fisette, J.L. & Benes, S. (2020) Preparing the next generation of health and physical educators through trauma-informed programs, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 91(9), 30-40. DOI: 10.1080/07303084.2020.1811623

Wynard, T., Benes, S. & Lorson, K. (2020) Trauma-sensitive practices in health education, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 91(9), 22-29.  DOI: 10.1080/07303084.2020.1811622

Wynard, T. (2020) The Quiver of the Pandemic Unknowns: Trauma-Informed Resources, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 91:7, 56 -57, DOI: 10.1080/07303084.2020.1785774

Benes, S., Lorson, & Wynard. T. (2020, April). Strategies on becoming a trauma-informed health education classroom. Society of Health & Physical Educators (SHAPE) America, Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. (Conference canceled, Online webinar presented)

Wynard, T. (2020, March). Constructing evidence based teaching in higher education and professional development on adverse childhood experiences (aces) and trauma informed practices (tips): Influences from the literature and experience. Society for Public Health Education Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA. (Conference canceled, Online webinar presented)

Wynard, T. (2019, March, 27-29). Prioritizing adverse childhood experiences (aces) and trauma-informed practice education in professional preparation programs: Identified gaps and essential action needed [Conference session]. Society for Public Health Education Annual Conference. Salt Lake City, UT.

Courses Taught

MHTS/MEDU 501 Trauma and Its Effects on Health and Learning

MEDU 694/MHTS 694 Trauma-Informed Practice Research Seminar

MEDU 686/MHTS 696 Trauma-Informed Practice Capstone

MLS 562 Health Care Systems & Advocacy

HTSC 430 Advanced Concepts of Health Program Planning

HTSC 330 Health Behavior and Health Promotion

HTSC 230 Community Health

HTSC 220 School Health & Methods of Physical Activity

HTSC 130 Foundations of Community Health Promotion

BIOL GSST 300 Human Sexuality

IDS 125 Health & Media