FORMER KINESIOLOGY PROFESSOR, TOM MARTINEK, FURTHERS HIS LEGACY
Posted on January 16, 2024
For the past 30 years, his work through Project Effort has been modeled throughout the world. Its initial purpose was to give elementary school kids plagued with low grades, office referrals, and school suspensions a chance to participate in a values-based after-school program that would help them channel negative energy in a positive way.
Ed.D. student Kristi Johnson led her non-profit organization, the Triangle Dance Project to successful performance
Posted on October 31, 2016
Kristi Johnson, a member of the 2016 Ed.D. in Kinesiology cohort, recently led her non-profit organization, the Triangle Dance Project to successful performance. The Triangle Dance Project, a community building nonprofit arts organization, offers local choreographers and performers opportunities showcase their talents as they emerge onto the regional dance scene. Byron Woods, an award winning theater and dance critic, wrote a laudatory review of the recent local professional premiere by the Triangle Dance Project.
Kristi is not just the founder of the Triangle Dance Project, but she herself has been performing, choreographing, and teaching dance for over 20 years. Kristi is presently the Director of Dance at North Carolina Central University. She brings a wealth of experience after serving on the dance faculties of Louisiana State University, Texas Christian University, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, and Jacksonville University. Committed to teaching excellence, she was named the AAHPERD College/University Dance Educator of the Year in 2013.
We look forward to hearing about future accomplishments of The Triangle Dance Project.
Ed.D. in KIN Student Eric Tucker published an article to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Mental Health Newsletter
Posted on November 03, 2016
Eric Tucker, a member of the 2014 Ed.D. in Kinesiology cohort and a part-time lecturer in the at North Carolina State University Department of Social Work at North Carolina State University recently published an article to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Mental Health Newsletter on self-care. As a mental health professional in private practice in Raleigh, NC, he has an extensive background in mental health, which includes exploring the relationship between physical activity and stress-management. He is especially passionate about the promotion of physically active lifestyles among mental health practitioners to aid in work-related stress management, and to assist in addressing professional burnout.
As noted in his article, there are a number of work-related stressors that mental health social workers face, which put them at risk of developing professional burnout. Professional burnout can lead to physical health, mental health, and psychosocial adjustment problems. Left unaddressed, burnout can lead skilled social workers to leave a field where they are desperately needed, compromising the overall quality of care for patients and the profession at large. Given the high risk of burnout among social workers and other professionals in high-stress environments, various self-care interventions should be developed. Physical activity has been shown to aid in stress-management, and could play an important role in potentially addressing burnout risk factors.
In “Self-Care for Mental Health Practitioners”, Eric explores the problems of burnout and offers practical stress-management suggestions for professionals at risk of burnout. Eric stated, “studying in the Ed.D. in Kinesiology program has played a vital role in my understanding burnout. More importantly, this program has helped me identify specific research questions about burnout and potentially viable solutions that could assist with addressing serious problems that negatively affects social workers, clients, and the field of social work. Eric went on to emphasize the importance of self-care in working environment. He said “I believe others in high-stress environments, such as teachers, coaches, and those in direct care roles, can also benefit from self-care interventions to aid in their own stress-management.”
Cathy Ennis is awarded 2017 Luther Halsey Gulick Award by SHAPE America, the highest honor of the association
Posted on February 20, 2017
UNCG Ed.D. in Kinesiology Professor Cathy Ennis was recently honored as the recipient of 2017 Luther Halsey Gulick Award by Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) Convention in Boston. The Luther Halsey Gulick is regarded as the highest honor given by SHAPE America. This award is presented annually at the national convention in recognition of one’s record of long and distinguished service.
Recipients exemplify the best in service, research, teaching and/or administration. Recipients are leaders whose contributions inspire youth to live vigorously, courageously, and freely as citizens in a free society. Dr. Ennis is a true leader who has inspired countless individuals through her work in the field of physical education, curriculum and instruction, and STEM.
Congratulations Dr. Ennis! We are thrilled for you!
To learn more about her story, click the following post released by SHAPE America: Press Release. To learn more about the Gulick medal, click the following link: The Luther Halsey Gulick Medal
Athletic Training (AT) professionals, educators, and researchers from all over the country gathered in Dallas, TX from February 17-19 for the 2017 Athletic Training Educator’s Conference (ATEC). This conference offers educators a chance to network and present the research focused on the teaching and learning of AT students and professionals. Several Ed.D. and PhD students from UNCG including Jennifer Hogg, David Wilkenfeld, Nicole Yard, Andi Bender and Chris Crawford joined Dr. Aaron Terranova, Clinical Education Coordinator in the M.S.A.T. program at UNCG, for dinner and good times.
Andi Bender shared her thoughts about the experience. “We went out to dinner as a group and immediately bonded over Texas BBQ and the love of Athletic Training! Dr. Terranova is so approachable that students felt comfortable asking questions about the program.”
This informal get together allowed students from different cohorts to talk about dissertation ideas and how things change over the years. Andi went on to say that “We shared some helpful study tips about how to approach different courses such as the summer courses since the time is more compact.”
This conference allowed students to meet outside of the classroom, and Andi noted that she “walked away from our dinner feeling more connected to my classmates in the Ed.D. program and having more contacts for support in this process.”
ED.D. STUDENTS AND FACULTY GOT TOGETHER AND CHEERED ON THE SPARTANS
Posted on March 09, 2017
On February 25, approximately 60 of the Ed.D. in Kinesiology students, faculty, staff, and their families gathered together for a social hosted by the Ed.D. in Kinesiology online program. Students and faculty gathered for food and fun prior to the UNCG Men’s baseball game vs. Michigan State, Women’s softball game vs. Longwood, Men’s Basketball game vs. Virginia Military Institute (VMI) at the Fleming Coliseum at UNCG. There was plenty of time for catching up with each other, especially when the Men’s Basketball game was was postponed to 7:00 pm start to help players recover from the previous day’s stomach bug. The team battled back and earned a 74-67 victory over VMI (Click this for more details: Men’s Basketball game vs. VMI). What a great way to show some school spirit, and catch up with friends. Despite the degree program being online with students all over the country, we are always looking for opportunities to stay connected with social gatherings like this and/or at professional conferences. The Ed.D. in Kinesiology Online program put an emphasis on building a strong community among the Ed.D. students and faculty.
See photo slides and videos from the event (https://youtu.be/Fm_MqUmY0TY) as well as the one from a Athletic Training recent conference (See the story here: ED.D. STUDENTS GOT TOGETHER AT ATEC 2017. The Ed.D. in Kinesiology Online program is looking forward to sponsoring more of these events in the future.
Ed.D. in KIN Student Katie Wurst Appointed as the director of rugby at Queens University of Charlotte
Posted on March 17, 2017
Ed.D. in KIN student Katie Wurst, a member of the 2014 Ed.D. in Kinesiology cohort was recently appointed as the Director of Rugby at Queens University of Charlotte. Her responsibilities are to lead develop both men’s and women’s rugby teams at Queens University.. Katie has almost 15 years of rugby coaching experience at a variety of competition levels. She has coached collegiately as well as for USA Rugby as a coaching course leader and event management staff. Katie is very excited and described this as her dream job, and also noted that she is truly humbled to play a major role in developing a collegiate rugby program at Queens University of Charlotte.
Congratulations Katie on your new appointment. We look forward to hearing about the rugby program at Queens University of Charlotte.
Ed.D. in KIN student Teresa Martilik and her students participated in National Special Olympics Unified Conference
Posted on March 17, 2017
Ed.D. in KIN student Teresa Martilik, a member of the 2015 Ed.D. in Kinesiology cohort presented with her teacher colleague, Megan Smith and her students, Daniel Morel and Zachary Lineberry at the National Special Olympics Unified Conference. This conference targeted Special Olympic staff and educators and focused on inclusive fitness programs for individuals with disabilities.
Teresa shared her concern, stating that students with disabilities are not as actively engaged as their peers. Teresa and Megan developed the Fitness Mentorship program at Central High School, that allows students enrolled in Sports Medicine and students enrolled in Special Education to work together to encourage an active and healthy life for students with disabilities.
Students shared their own experience about the Fitness Mentorship class and how they found it beneficial to their health. During the conference, students were connected to other peers and teachers about the mentoring classes and their goal to develop inclusive programs for students with disabilities.
Congratulations to Teresa and her group for their innovative idea!!!
DeAnne Brooks is awarded 2017 HHS Emerging Leader Award by the School of Health and Human Sciences
Posted on April 09, 2017
UNCG Ed.D. alumni Dr. DeAnne Brooks was recently honored as the recipient of the 2017 HHS Emerging Leader Award. This award recognizes exceptional achievements and significant contributions to the recipient’s profession, community/society or university.
DeAnne is currently an assistant professor at Salem College, where she has developed as a leader in the areas of academia, scholarship, and service. DeAnne was thrilled when she heard that she was chosen for the Emerging Leader Award. She was honored, and she felt this gave her the opportunity to think about how UNCG has played a role in her success. She is thankful for the support of her two doctoral advisors, to Kathy Jamieson and Bill Karper, who she credits with helping her find her professional path. She also had kind words of appreciation for her brilliant, energetic, and ambitious UNCG classmates. She felt very lucky to be part of the UNCG kinesiology department where she completed her doctoral studies in 2010.
DeAnne noted that Ed.D. at UNCG was the perfect degree. As a former youth and collegiate athlete, she pursued her master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology and felt a doctoral degree that allowed her to focus on sociocultural aspects of sport and physical activity was an ideal fit. She discovered her passion of teaching when she taught her first class as a doctoral student at UNCG. She has continued to teach in higher education while also coaching youth, high school and collegiate athletes for over 20 years.
DeAnne stated that she is a huge supporter of the Ed.D. in KIN at UNCG and she thinks the program is thriving! She wished the best for all current and future students.
Congratulations DeAnne on your receiving the award. We look forward to hearing more about your work!
