Join us in celebrating two of our kinesiology faculty, Dr. Alan Chu and Dr. Joel Matin, who received national recognition for their significant contributions to their respective fields. Their work reflects the breadth of scholarship, leadership, mentorship, and applied practice represented within UNCG Kinesiology, and we are proud to have both scholars as part of our department.
Dr. Chu voted AASP Head of Research and Practice Division
From competitive table tennis player to sport psychology scholar, practitioner, and now national leader, Dr. Alan Chu’s career reflects his commitment to understanding how athletes can better navigate challenge, performance, and adversity. A longtime member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), Dr. Chu first became involved with the organization as a student and has remained an active contributor throughout his career, serving in numerous leadership and committee roles. This summer, his peers elected him Head of AASP’s Research and Practice Division, an executive board position through which he will help shape the future of sport psychology research, professional practice, and graduate education. At UNCG, Dr. Chu brings that same integration of research and practice to his work on self-compassion, mindfulness, and resilience, including the development of his validated SMART Program (Self-compassion, Mindfulness, and Athletes’ Resilience Training). We are proud to see a member of our faculty continue a journey that began with his own experiences as an athlete and student and now places him in a national leadership role within the field he has spent his career advancing.
Dr. Martin awarded 2026 Tactical Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year
We are also excited to celebrate one of the newest members of the UNCG Kinesiology faculty, Dr. Joel Martin, who was named the 2026 Tactical Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. This national award recognizes professionals whose work has significantly advanced strength and conditioning for military, law enforcement, and fire and rescue populations. Dr. Martin’s research examines how occupational demands such as load carriage, fatigue, fitness, and other stressors influence the movement, cognition, performance, health, and injury risk of tactical professionals, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, and military personnel. Just as importantly, his work extends beyond the laboratory through community partnerships, field-based testing, and the mentorship of students preparing to serve these populations as researchers and practitioners. Dr. Martin joined UNCG Kinesiology, as a Doctor of Education (EdD) faculty in August, and we are proud to welcome a nationally recognized scholar whose applied research and commitment to preparing the next generation of professionals will further strengthen our department and its impact beyond the university.
One more round of applause for Dr. Chu and Dr. Martin on these well-deserved recognitions! We are proud to have their expertise, leadership, and commitment to the field represented within UNCG Kinesiology. To learn more about the programs connected to their work, check out our programs below.