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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.

Contributing to more than 480,000 deaths annually in the United States, smoking remains a problem nationwide, especially in the state of West Virginia. A West Virginia University professor is part of a team that is leading an effort to help adults quit smoking.

Peter Giacobbi, professor in the College of Applied Human Sciences and a member of the School of Public Health, is collaborating with research colleagues from the University of Arizona, the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, N.Y. and WV First Choice Services to launch the Be Smoke Free project.

COVID-19 has caused an upheaval in higher education. Nearly every aspect of academia has needed to reboot, including learning, teaching and anything related to travel. In planning for their fall conference, the National Strength and Conditioning Association is no exception.   

The 2020 Advanced Periodization Virtual Clinic was initially intended, even prior to the pandemic, to operate on a virtual platform, establishing the event as a unique national conference. Once COVID-19 affected travel, NSCA staff decided that, instead of the speakers flying to NSCA headquarters in Colorado Springs to film their presentations, they would send a representative to each of the speakers at their respective institutions.  

Renowned specialists in the field of strength and conditioning and sport science will participate in the third annual National Strength and Conditioning Association West Virginia State Clinic, featuring speakers typically found on a national platform. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with industry professionals from a range of specialties.

The event, scheduled for April 3-4, 2020 on the West Virginia University campus, WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Human Performance Innovation Center, will highlight cutting-edge research and application.

From the court room to the ticketing office, and now armed with a new degree, Morgantown native Leighann Sainato has gained a fresh perspective in her young professional career.

Starting as a community relations intern with the West Virginia Black Bears in August 2017, Sainato worked closely with Jackie Riggleman, then the assistant general manager and a CPASS Sport Management masters graduate. Now, two years later, the Black Bears have announced the promotion of Sainato to ticket operations and public relations manager.

A West Virginia University-hosted event will provide unprecedented access to renowned professionals in the fields of strength and conditioning and sport science. The second annual workshop will feature speakers typically found on national platforms on Saturday, April 13 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center. Attendees will have an exclusive look at the new applied sport science center located at the WVU Human Performance Innovation Center.

“This is an incredible opportunity for coaches and strength coaches in the state and surrounding area. We will truly have some of the world leaders in the field of strength and conditioning and sport science attending and presenting at this year’s state clinic,” Guy Hornsby , WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences athletic coaching education teaching assistant professor, explained.

Pursuing his dreams while making an impact. That’s what student, Andre Kowisky has been doing since graduating with a master’s degree from WVU. Kowisky transitioned from CPASS to growing his role as a coach for the Morgantown United Soccer Club in Morgantown, WV.

Kowisky received his bachelor’s degree in physical activities and sport science from Universidade Vila Velha (UVV) located in his hometown of Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil. He then pursued his education in the United States, graduating from CPASS this May with an MS in athletic coaching/performance coaching.