This year, the EdD in Kinesiology program has several graduate assistants working behind the scenes to support our students, faculty, and program activities. Each brings unique experiences, academic backgrounds, and research interests to the Kinesiology community. We invite you to get to know the graduate assistants who help make our program a success!
Sarah Posidis-Kowalski
Hi everyone! My name is Sarah Posidis-Kowalski, and I am a second-year master’s student in the Kinesiology program with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology at UNCG. I received my Bachelor’s degree from York University in Toronto, where I completed a double major in Psychology and Health Studies. I’m originally from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, and moved to Greensboro to begin graduate school. I also grew up as a competitive gymnast and competed at the national level in Canada.
At UNCG, I work as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Physical Activity and Lifetime Wellness Lab and the Center for Women’s Health and Wellness. I also support Dr. Brown and the EdD in Kinesiology program, assisting with administrative and program-related activities. My research interests center around the psychological aspects of sport injury, including fear of reinjury, coping, psychological skills, and athlete well-being. My master’s thesis focuses on injury, fear of reinjury, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among athletes. I’m excited to continue learning, collaborating with others, and becoming more involved with the Kinesiology community this year!
George Class-Peters Jr.
Hello All! I am George Class-Peters Jr., and I am a first-year master’s student in the Kinesiology program with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology at UNCG. I have an honors Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Medical Diagnostics and a Bachelor of Science in Sport Health, both from the University of Delaware. I was born in New York but was raised in Delaware. After my undergraduate career, I worked at the Delaware Department of Agriculture as the appointed Deputy Principal Assistant. In this position, I served as the senior policy analyst and community engagement specialist. I moved to Greensboro, N.C. for this graduate program and couldn’t be more excited to have this opportunity to learn from experts and pioneers in the field.
At UNCG, I am a Graduate Assistant with Project Effort and supporting the EdD program. I have a variety of research interests, including leadership in elite women athletes, the impacts of grief on athletic performance, and sense of belonging in athletic leadership departments.
Berta Vidal Carnero
Hello! My name is Berta Vidal Carnero, and I am a first-year PhD student in Kinesiology with a concentration in Human Movement Sciences. I graduated from my Master’s in Kinesiology, Sports and Exercise Psychology concentration, from UNCG last May. I got my undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Psychology at Catawba College, a small DII school in NC, where I also competed as a collegiate swimmer. I am originally from a small town called Sant Joan les Fonts in Catalonia, Spain, and came to the US to be able to swim and study at the same time and just decided to keep going and going with my studies!
At UNCG, during my Master’s, I worked at the Center for Women’s Health and Wellness and taught swimming courses to the undergraduate students. Now, I am teaching Kinesiology 220-Lifetime Wellness, and I help Dr. Brown with whatever she needs for the EdD Program. As far as research goes, my thesis focused on the role of fitness-related content, social media, and screen time on physical activity. However, now it took a sharp turn, and I am trying to develop swim lessons for beginners combining both motor learning and sports psychology concepts. I am very happy that I get to still interact with everyone in Kinesiology and be a part of this family!
Pegah Hadad
Hi everyone! My name is Pegah Haddad, and I am a first-year graduate student in the Kinesiology department with a concentration in Exercise Physiology at UNCG. I was born and raised in Iran, and three years ago, my husband and I moved to the United States to continue our education. My husband is also a student, and Greensboro was the first city we called home after arriving in the United States.
At UNCG, I work as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Kinesiology. My research interests focus on the immune system and its relationship with cancer. More broadly, I am interested in how exercise interacts with the immune system and metabolism, and how these relationships influence human health. I am excited to continue learning, collaborating with others, and becoming more involved with the Kinesiology community this year!
Bennett Cupps
Hello everyone! My name is Bennett Cupps, and I am one of your graduate assistants for the 2026-2027 school year. I am excited to get to know all of you and look forward to helping make this year a successful one for the EdD in Kinesiology program.
I am originally from Virginia but made the choice to come study here in Greensboro at UNCG during my last undergraduate semester. My educational journey began at a small liberal arts college in Bridgewater, Virginia, called Bridgewater College. There, I spent five years earning my B.S. in Exercise Science while competing in NCAA DIII cross country and track & field. Currently, I am a second-year master’s student in the Exercise Physiology program here at UNCG. Through my studies, I hope to continue refining my skills so I can help others find success in their own health, fitness, and exercise pursuits.
Outside of the classroom and my assistantship supporting Dr. Brown and the EdD program, you can usually find me teaching undergraduate kinesiology activity courses, most often Fitness Running or Ultimate Frisbee.
Jacob Chrapliwy
Hello everyone! My name is Jacob Chrapliwy, and I am one of your graduate assistants for the 2026-2027 school year. I am excited to get to know and learn all your interests and why you love KIN!
I was born in Eden, NC, but quickly moved to High Point, where I’ve spent the majority of my life. I went to Appalachian State University for undergrad and graduated with my B.S. in Exercise Science, where I fell in love with these subjects. I am currently a second-year master’s student in the SEP program here at UNCG. My master’s thesis will focus on resistance training with different attentional focus and seeing what the different benefits (if any) there are in executive function!
Click here to learn more about Sarah, Berta, George, Pegah, Bennett, and Jacob!
If you are interested in joining the EdD in KIN program to earn your doctoral degree, checkout our EdD in KIN website for additional information.