Two new faculty members will join the College of Applied Human Sciences for fall 2022. Joni Williamson, sport management teaching assistant professor, and Rachel Wattick, health and well-being teaching assistant professor, bring experience in athletics administration and food science, respectively.
Williamson comes to WVU after spending the last four years as the director of athletics and adventure sports at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C. She has held additional roles at the NCAA in academic and membership affairs, Wittenberg University as associate director of athletics, Wright State as director of athletics promotions and Washington State as facilities operations assistant.
"I have always admired WVU and the sport management program,” Williamson said. “I intend to use my real-life experience from a variety of roles and levels in the sports business to provide a terrific classroom experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach and inspire the future sports leaders of tomorrow.”
A former swimming student-athlete, Williamson earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Evansville, master’s in recreation and sport science from Ohio University, and doctorate in global sport leadership from East Tennessee State University. She is a graduate of the Women Leaders in College Sports Institute for Administrative Advancement and NCAA Leadership Institute.
Wattick says she is looking forward to joining a multidisciplinary team and is eager to collaborate and learn together. “With my background, I think we are addressing a critical need in how we educate future health professionals by using a multi-faceted approach that focuses on physical and mental well-being. I am excited to start interacting with the students and learning about their needs so they can continue to grow in college.”
With two degrees from WVU Wattick is currently pursuing a third. She earned a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition and foods and a master’s degree in nutritional and food science. She is nearing the completion of her doctoral degree in animal and food sciences with an emphasis in human nutrition with the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. Her research interests include the role of diet in mental health, culinary medicine and the Mediterranean diet in treating and preventing chronic disease.