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Professional Highlights
- University of Pittsburgh, Visiting Scholar, Center for Latin American Studies. 2014-2017
- Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil. Visiting Scholar, Research Center for Sport, Leisure, and Society. 2016
- American Kinesiology Association, (AKA). Leadership Institute Fellow’ Class 2020.
- American Kinesiology Association, (AKA), Board of Directors 2022-2025
- Outstanding Long-Form Scholarship, WVU Office of the Provost, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023
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Sean Bulger
Chester E. & Helen B. Derrick CAHS Endowed Professor
AHB 271
Professional Highlights
- Received the 2016 Ray O. Duncan Award from the state HPERD association for outstanding service and leadership.
- Co-authored more than 70 books, chapters, and journal articles on physical activity promotion and best teaching practices.
- Collaborated on over $6 million in external funding to support physical activity in school, community, and family settings.
- Delivered over 130 presentations at state, regional, and national conferences/conventions.
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Ashley Coker-Cranney
Assistant Professor
AHS 205
Professional Highlights
- Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
- Licensed Professional Counselor, West Virginia Board of Examiners for Counseling
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Damien Clement
Associate Dean, West Virginia University Honors College
Professor
Honors Hall, Room 126D
Professional Highlights
- Fellow, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
- West Virginia University (WVU) Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching, 2015 Dorothy V. Harris Award, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, 2014
- Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, 2013
- Acting Dean – Honors College, West Virginia University, August 2019 – June 2020
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Kristen Dieffenbach
Director - Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Sciences
Professor
kristen.dieffenbach@mail.wvu.edu
AHB 253
Professional Highlights
- United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE) - Past President (founding)
- Association of Applied Sport Psychology - Fellow
- Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
- Professional cycling and endurance sport coach - 25+ years
- National Physical Activity Plan - Sport Steering Committee
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Eloise Elliott
Ware Distinguished Professor
AHB 269
Professional Highlights
- Ware Distinguished Professor in the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences since 2009
- Co-Author of the book, Teaching Children and Adolescents Physical Education (Graham, Elliott, Palmer, 2016)
- Recent Honors: Research Fellow, Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America (2017), Outstanding WVU CPASS Grantsperson Award (2019), Chair, U.S. President’s Council for Fitness, Sport, and Nutrition Science Board (2017)
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Jeanette Garcia
Associate Professor
AHB 203
Professional Highlights
- Research focuses on the development of health promotion interventions for youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities
- Received numerous awards for research impact, including the University of Central Florida Luminary Award & Excellence in Research Award
- Received over $100,000 in funding for the "Judo for Autism" initiative
- Postdoctoral training at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
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Professional Highlights
- Program Academic Coordinator, ‘International Bachelor’s in Business and Economics,’ Higher School of Economics (Saint Petersburg, Russia), 2022.
- Visiting Associate Professor, University of Zurich, 2021.
- Coordinator, Sports Analytics Track, Master Program ‘Management and Analytics for Business,’ Higher School of Economics (Saint Petersburg, Russia), 2020-2022
- Research Fellow at International Laboratory of Intangible-driven Economy, Higher School of Economics (Saint Petersburg, Russia), 2020-2022
- Visiting Researcher, Birkbeck, University of London, 2016
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Peter R. Giacobbi
Professor
AHB 208
Professional Highlights
- Research focus on chronic disease risk reduction using digital and other delivery technologies
- Current Google Scholar H-index of 36, Scopus H-index of 26
- Fellow, Society of Behavioral Medicine
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Patrick O. Hairston
Teaching Assistant Professor
AHB 215
Professional Highlights
- Over 25 years of sport management professional work experience, including: National Football League (NFL), Division 1 college athletics at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) levels, NCAA National Office, Mega Sporting Events, Facility Management, and Private Protection Services (PPS).
- Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths (Talent Assessment) Coach
- Dr. Charles Whitcomb NCAA Leadership Institute Graduate, Class of 2003
- West Virginia University Faculty Senate Member
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Guy Hornsby
Associate Professor
AHB 256
Professional Highlights
- Head Coach of West Virginia Weightlifting and Volunteer (throws) Coach for WVU Track and Field
- Coaching Science Coordinator at WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, Human Performance Innovation Center
- West Virginia State Director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association
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Zenzi Huysmans
Teaching Assistant Professor
AHB 207
Professional Highlights
- Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
- Licensed Professional Counselor, West Virginia Board of Examiners for Counseling
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Professional Highlights
- Worked as a sports marketer at Octagon Korea
- Member of the organizing team for the 2001 World Taekwondo Championship
- Research emphasis on fan behavior and decision-making
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Gary J. Lhotsky
Teaching Associate Professor
AHB 242
Professional Highlights
- Eleven years of professional experience in collegiate athletic facility and event management at Florida State University, Florida International University and the University of Miami.
- Extensive experience planning and hosting NCAA, ACC, Big East, TAAC and FHSA championships.
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Peter McGahey
Teaching Assistant Professor
AHB 259
Professional Highlights
- Former NCAA Division I and II Women’s Head Coach
- United State Soccer Federation A Licensed Coach
- United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE) – Nominating Committee
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Emily Murphy
Associate Professor
AHB 246
Professional Highlights
- Past WVU Faculty Senate Chair (2019-20)
- WVU Board of Governors Member
- Research emphasis in obesity prevention for individuals, families and communities
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Zack P. Pedersen
Assistant Professor
AHB E-243
Professional Highlights
- Research focuses on brand strategies of sport entities, with emphasis on athlete branding and personal brand development.
- Published in journals including Sport Marketing Quarterly, IJSMM, IJSC, Journal of Global Sport Management, etc.
- Creator of LogoRoster.com, a comprehensive database of athlete logos and personal brand marks.
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David Rice
Teaching Assistant Professor
AHB 250
Professional Highlights
- Over 10 years of experience teaching undergraduate & graduate courses.
- Taught courses in a variety of topics, including exercise & sports physiology, epidemiology, sports nutrition, exercise & sport psychology, cardiovascular physiology, pathophysiology, and research methods in exercise science.
- Served as an academic advisor to over 400 undergraduate students in the past 10 years
- Supported undergraduate research by mentoring undergraduate research projects and securing nearly $10,000 in undergraduate student grant funding.
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Michael J. Ryan
Teaching Associate Professor
AHB 255
Professional Highlights
- Program Coordinator for Athletic Coaching Education, CPASS
- 10 years of undergraduate and graduate teaching experience in Exercise Science and Kinesiology
- National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) State and Mid-East Sectional Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year
- 20 years of coaching experience at the Division 1 and high school levels
- Coached seven WVSSAC State Championship Teams in cross country and track
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Courtney Semkewyc
Director, WVU Baseball Biomechanics and Performance Center
Service Assistant Professor
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Professional Highlights
- Research emphasis on teachers' content knowledge, motor skills and physical activity engagement, and policy in physical education.
- Teaches classes in introductory of pedagogy and elementary and early childhood physical education methods.
- Has conducted 35 international and national presentations.
- Research emphasis on teachers' content knowledge, motor skills and physical activity engagement, and policy in physical education.
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Dana Voelker
Director, School of Sport Sciences
Associate Professor
AHB 211
Professional Highlights
- Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
- 2019 Steelcase Education Active Learning Center Grant
- 2018 WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teachers
- 2018 Association for Applied Sport Psychology Dorothy V. Harris Memorial Award
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Ryan Wamsley
Teaching Associate Professor
AHB-E 250
Professional Highlights
- SHAPEWV Elementary PE Teacher of the Year, 2018
- Multiple years of public school and higher education teaching experience: Physical Education (PK - Adult) and Health Education (5 - Adult) Teaching Licensure
- Registered Yoga Instructor (E-RYT 200) through Yoga Alliance
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Justin Wartella
Teaching Associate Professor
AHB 241
Professional Highlights
- Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association (PSADA)
- Former Sport Management Liaison and Executive Council Member
- Pennsylvania State University (PSU) Summer Study Program
- Coordinator and Instructor of the Sports Marketing Workshop and Internship
- Super Bowl XLIX - Event Staff Supervisor
- 2017 College Football National Championship Game - Event Staff Supervisor
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Valerie Wayda
Associate Dean for Student Success and Academic Affairs
Professor
AHB 277
Professional Highlights
- North American Society (NAS) of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals Fellow
- National Association for Kinesiology and Physical Education in Higher Education - Vice President (2012)
- National Association for Sport and Physical Education Board of Directors (2003-2006)
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James Wyant
Associate Director: School of Sport Sciences
Associate Professor
AHB 212
Professional Highlights
- Teacher of the Year Award, WVU, CPASS award for excellence in teaching for the 2018-2019 academic year.
- WV Department of Education Teacher Credentials: Physical Education PreK-Adult, Health Education grades 5-12.
- Coordinator of the physical education teacher education student teaching capstone experience.
- Teacher of the Year Award, WVU, CPASS award for excellence in teaching for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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Xiaoxia Zhang
Assistant Professor
AHB 245
Professional Highlights
- Certified Adapted Physical Activity Educator
- Research emphasis on promoting physical activity and reducing health disparities for individuals with disabilities
- 2023 Recipient of SHAPE America Thomas L. McKenzie Research Award
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Sam Zizzi
Dr. Pat Fehl Endowed Professor
Professor
AHB 206
Professional Highlights
- Twice recognized as Most Outstanding Teacher at WVU CPASS, and has mentored over 30 PhD students through degree completion
- Serves as the Dr. Pat Fehl Endowed Professor to
focus efforts on the health and wellness of WV citizens
- Published
one of the first books on self-awareness in sport, entitled Being Mindful in
Sport and Exercise Psychology (2017) with friend and colleague Mark
Andersen"
- Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)
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