Innovation Springs Interview 8: Joey Lee

• Health Sciences Programs: https://johnsonbethel.uccs.edu/academics/health-sciences 
• Research Consultant Program: https://johnsonbethel.uccs.edu/research-consultants 
• Flip! The Healthy Card Game: https://c3innovation.uccs.edu/flip-healthy-choices-wellness-card-game 

📺 Viewers can access the full transcript or captions on the YouTube video for a deeper dive into the conversation.

https://youtu.be/fPuMyUAuKX0

🎧 Youth Wellness, Public Health & Innovation in Education

How can schools become healthier environments for children—and what role does research play in creating lasting change?

In this episode of Innovation Springs, host Hayley Blackburn sits down with Dr. Joey Lee, Associate Professor of Health Sciences and C3 Faculty Fellow, to explore how public health research, school wellness initiatives, and community partnerships can improve the lives of young people.

Dr. Lee shares how his work bridges research and practice through collaborations with schools, educators, health organizations, and research teams across the country. His focus on youth health promotion examines how physical activity, wellness policies, and supportive school environments influence lifelong health outcomes.

The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities of implementing wellness programs in real-world educational settings. From evaluating school health environments to supporting federally required wellness policies, Dr. Lee discusses how evidence-based approaches can create meaningful improvements for students, families, and communities.

The episode also explores the importance of protecting time for research, building strong partnerships, and translating academic findings into practical solutions that schools can actually use. Through his C3 Fellowship work, Dr. Lee continues to examine how innovative approaches can make health education more accessible, engaging, and impactful for young learners.

Whether you're interested in public health, education, community partnerships, or youth development, this episode offers valuable insights into how research can drive positive change beyond the university.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How public health research influences K–12 education and wellness programs
• Why school environments play a critical role in youth health outcomes
• How researchers collaborate with schools and communities to implement change
• The importance of evidence-based wellness policies
• How innovation can improve health education for children and families

🔑 Key Quotes

“My research focuses on youth-based health promotion.”

“Half of my job is partnerships.”

“The time I get to be in the classroom interacting with students is my favorite time of the week.”

“You have to protect time for research and scholarship.”

“Research support for faculty is really about identifying needs and helping people succeed.”

🎯 Why Students & Faculty Should Listen

This episode answers questions like “How does public health research impact schools?” and “What does it take to turn research into community action?”—making it especially relevant for students interested in health sciences, education, research, and community engagement.

It also highlights how interdisciplinary partnerships can create healthier environments for young people while demonstrating the real-world impact of university research.