Timothy K Behrens, PhD

Timothy “Tim” K. Behrens, PhD, CHES, FACSM is a Professor of Public Health in the Department of Health Sciences at Northern Arizona University, joining the Department in 2015. Dr. Behrens earned his BS in Community Health from Sam Houston State University, his MEd in Health Education from the University of Houston, and his PhD in Health Promotion from the University of Oklahoma. He is a Fellow of the Physical Activity and Public Health postdoctoral course sponsored by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. Additionally, Dr. Behrens is a Certified Health Education Specialist, a Fellow of the SHAPE America Research Consortium, and a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Dr. Behrens’ research focuses on healthy eating and active living (HEAL) initiatives, working with communities to plan, implement, and evaluate HEAL activities. Dr. Behrens has extensive experience in physical activity assessment, evaluation methodology, and community engagement. He has published and presented his work to regional, national, and international audiences and received research support from federal, philanthropic, and community organizations.

At NAU Dr. Behrens is responsible for teaching in the Public Health program. Specific courses include:

• HS 403C: Planning, Implementing And Evaluating Health Promotion Programs

Dr. Behrens has high expectations for his students, as they represent the future of public health in our society. One of his favorite sayings is, “if you can’t question what you believe, you probably don’t believe in much.” This saying is embodied in his teaching where students are challenged to reflect on their own values and beliefs in an effort to incorporate these perspectives into the fabric of the profession of public health.

When not working, Dr. Behrens enjoys spending time with his family and taking pleasure in the outdoor pursuits of the Western US–hiking, trail running, snow sports, kayaking, etc. Be sure to say hi if you see him out on the trail!