Assistant Professor
Health and Human Performance
Credentials:
B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Dayton, Dayton OH 1991
M.S in Exercise Physiology from the University of South Carolina, Columbia SC 1992
Ph.D. Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinois 2020
Biography:
As the Director of the School of Health Sciences at Marymount University, I oversee undergraduate and graduate programs in Health Sciences, Public Health Education and Promotion, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology. I also serve as an Assistant Professor in Health and Human Performance. With over 30 years of experience in higher education, I bring a comprehensive perspective to academic program management, research, and student mentorship. My academic and professional background includes extensive expertise in fitness and exercise physiology, with a research focus on obesity medicine, weight stigma, exercise programming for special populations, and health/fitness assessments. This experience informs my commitment to improving health equity and access, particularly among underserved and underrepresented populations. A cornerstone of my career has been the development and implementation of innovative academic initiatives. I designed a service-learning course for undergraduate students and successfully transitioned our Public Health and Health Promotion program to an online delivery mode, ensuring academic rigor and competitive quality. My leadership extends to university governance, where I chaired the Curriculum and Instruction Committee, guiding curricular changes to meet evolving educational needs. I have a strong record of mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students in research, supporting their dissemination of findings at conferences such as the Virginia Collegiate Honors Council and national forums like the American College of Sports Medicine. My own research on weight bias has led to podium presentations at national conferences and curricular changes aimed at reducing bias among health science students before they enter the workforce. Since 2021, I have led over 30 students on rural health trips in partnership with Remote Area Medical (RAM), providing medical care to underserved communities. These experiences have solidified my commitment to addressing health disparities and fostering professional development for health science students. Currently, as an affiliate scientist with Marymount University’s Center for Optimal Aging, I am collaborating on the Arlington Longitudinal Optimal Health Aging (ALOHA) project with an extensive team of various experts to bring health passports to the older community members of Arlington VA. This interdisciplinary research aligns with my expertise in health assessments and highlights the value of collaboration in advancing impactful research.
Teaching Areas:
HPR 210: CPR and First Aid
HPR 302: Fitness Testing and Assessment
HPR 304 :Developing Physical Training Programs
HPR 500: Exercise Physiology
Research Areas:
Weight stigma, autism, fitness interventions, older adults, longevity
Publications:
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4230-4742
