Latest News

Two fresh faces have joined the Office of Student Success at WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences this fall. Betsy Robbinsand Evan Banasick, WVU graduate student, are adding their expertise to the college.

Robbins grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan, cheering on the Chicago Cubs. She earned a BA in photography and English and an MSEd in special education, both from Purdue University. After graduation, she moved to Boulder, Colorado for three years before making her next mountain move to Morgantown, West Virginia. Robbins is excited to join the Mountaineer Family.

A passion for sport and exercise psychology began because of a young faculty member’s early involvement as a competitive figure skater and, then, as captain of the Penn State women’s ice hockey club.

These experiences as a former athlete have led Dana Voelker, West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, to study and promote the psychosocial well-being and performance of child, adolescent and young adult athletes and exercisers. Her work has often been recognized in the field. 

CPASS faculty are continuing an international partnership to build the capacity of sport and sport related businesses within Zimbabwe. Executives and Board of Directors of the Sport Leadership Institute of Zimbabwe (SLIZ) see the collaboration as a way to improve the quality of life and sport opportunities in their country.

During a visit to the WVU campus this past spring, much of Maradza Mhiribidi and Clara Mukononyanga’s time involved the design and expansion of professional development and short courses related to sport management, athletic coaching, physical education teacher education and sport and exercise psychology disciplines. Long range efforts will incorporate creating a certificate program from a mobile or online platform.

Multiple outreach projects will have a lasting impact in the Morgantown community and beyond.  A New Jersey high school robotics team has developed a robot that enables kids with special needs in the CPASS Friday Adapted PE program to have greater access to fun physical activities.  A model grant that combines researchers from WVU and three other regional institutions will help community groups to provide health and wellness opportunities for individuals with disabilities. A continuing partnership with the National Inclusion Project expands physical activity environments for a diverse population within WVU Lifetime Activities.  

Killeen Schlegel, program coordinator in the CPASS Office of Student Success, is one of four WVU academic advisers honored with the Nicholas Evans Award for Excellence in Advising. This annual award, established by the Office of the Provost, is given in honor of Dr. Nicholas Evans, a lifelong proponent of the importance of undergraduate advising at WVU. Each year two faculty and two staff are recognized for their work advising and mentoring students.

Schlegel was nominated by 10 coworkers, supervisors and students. Sean Bulger, supervisor for the CPASS Office of Student Success, says, “Students characterize Killeen as well-informed, organized, personable, proactive, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The faculty say she is highly sought out by students based on the reputation for excellence that she has established.”

Following its inception in 2016, staff members in the CPASS Office of Student Success have provided leadership in enrollment management, student retention, program completion and post-college achievement. Lindsay Augustine, interim director of enrollment management, said: “Our team does a fantastic job of maintaining a welcoming and engaging environment, which enables us to serve students effectively as they achieve their academic and professional goals.”

All first-year experience programs have the important goal of facilitating the transition to college life. From New Student Orientation on, first-time freshmen have access to a range of transitional programs. Mountaineer Quest is a peer-led, five-day trip that prepares incoming students through participation in outdoor adventure activities like hiking, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, sightseeing and service learning. The Early Start program enables students to enroll in an online summer course that incorporates success coaching focused on enhanced college preparedness.

Dana Voelker, Sport and Exercise Psychology assistant professor, joins the ranks of West Virginia University faculty members  selected for the 2018 Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching, which honors exceptional professors who go the extra mile to inspire their students.

“Dana Voelker is a dedicated teacher who does a great job of interacting with students and facilitating their learning inside and outside of the classroom,” said Jack Watson, professor and chair in the Department of Sport Sciences. “Students love her teaching style and are challenged to push themselves outside of their comfort zones in her classes.”

Office Administrator, Dean’s Office, 35 years

Joanne works diligently to keep the Dean’s Office organized and running smoothly, all the while bringing a smile and levity to every situation. She is known for her creative and humorous storytelling abilities, generating a chuckle in any crowd. Her smile is infectious, and her personality lights up each room that she enters. Her colleagues will miss these delightful qualities that Joanne brings to work with her every day

Jeremy Yeats, PhD, is a native of Colorado and has been an assistant professor at Adams State University for six years. The past two years, he has served as graduate coordinator for the coaching master’s program. He earned his doctorate in sport and exercise science, with an emphasis in sport pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado; an MA in educational psychology from the University of Colorado at Denver; and a BA in health and physical education from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. His teaching philosophy centers on a constructivist framework, where learners use their prior knowledge, have learning experiences, construct new meanings, use reflections and start the cycle over again with a new set of prior knowledge. His teaching style reflects a student-centered and culturally-responsive classroom, which helps create an active community of learners.

CPASS sport management graduate and guard for WVU men’s basketball, Jevon Carter, was named Male Athlete of the Year at the 2018 Blue and Golden Globe Awards.

Overall, 260 Mountaineers were acknowledged for GPAs of 3.0 or better and 40 of those were honored for 4.0 GPAs. The top graduating senior from each Mountaineer program invited his or her most influential professor to the awards banquet and, as the top graduating senior out of men’s basketball, Carter chose to bring his longtime adviser Theresa Scafella. “She’s been with me since my freshman year … put me in all the right classes I needed to make sure that I was on time to graduate,” Carter said.