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A College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences graduate recently collaborated to spearhead a public health operations unit for care navigation and contact tracing to guide Georgetown University’s response to COVID-19.

As the director of Campus Recreation, Health and Wellness at Georgetown University, Meghan Dimsa has fifteen plus years of diverse experience in higher education. In this role, she is an executive leader/director serving 21,000 customers with ultimate responsibility for 300 staff members and accountability for a $6 million annual operating budget.

An ongoing research-focused collaboration provides current West Virginia University Sport Management graduate students with the opportunity to work directly with sports industry specialists. Students highlighted real world business challenges as identified in the marketplace and used data and problem-solving solutions to overcome market environments, financial concerns and other complex issues.

“The relationship is designed to support students entering the industry with hands-on experience they can use to further their career path. It’s amazing that these industry mavens graciously contribute their time and expertise to guide our students throughout the process. The students take ownership and have learned immensely. I credit their transformation to the mentors and their patient, direct engagement and support,” Floyd Jones, associate professor, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, said.

A cooperative learning experience in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences has thrived during the pandemic, reaching new levels of technology-based learning. In the fall 2020 semester, WVU Sport and Exercise Psychology undergraduate students worked with peers at Halmstad University, in Halmstad, Sweden, as part of the SEP 272 (Majors-Only) course, Psychological Aspects of Sport.

“Through collaborative online discussion boards and group presentations and assignments, and joint Zoom-workshops facilitated by WVU and Halmstad graduate students, the fall 2020 course represented the most advanced and intensive collaborative learning experience for CPASS Sport and Exercise Psychology students thus far in our partnership with Halmstad University,” Scott Barnicle, program coordinator and teaching assistant professor said.

College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences’ Sport and Exercise Psychology 474 Research Methods and Capstone students have established a solid foundation for future graduate studies and professional careers. During their final presentations, the students presented a broad range of projects, covering psychological impacts of injuries, influence of social media, impact of involuntary retirement, eating disorder prevalence in female sports and interventions for athletes during COVID-19.

The groups, under the guidance of Scott Barnicle, SEP program coordinator and teaching assistant professor, completed the spring 2021 semester within the classroom setting. “I’m so proud of our SEP seniors for making it up research mountain this semester. It is always wonderful to see them present their projects. Some are off to graduate school in the fall while others are heading into the working world. It was a terrific spring semester with them all,” Barnicle said.

A partnership between the Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Sciences at West Virginia University and the Morgantown Hockey Association is providing quality youth sport programming in the area. The ongoing collaboration provides funding for a graduate assistant position within the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, devoted to enhance coaching and player development. 

As a GA, Brett Anderson is working with Kristen Dieffenbach, the Center director, national leader in the field of coach development, and CPASS associate professor, to support MHA’s youth development program. Anderson, coaching and sport education on campus master’s student, coordinated the Morgantown Hockey Association youth development program this season. Originally from Killam, Alberta, Canada, he has coached around the world.

An upcoming virtual workshop will feature the expanding partnership between West Virginia University and the Universidade Federal do Parana (UFPR) in Brazil. The April 9, 2021 one-day event, entitled “Research Across Borders,” will emphasize opportunities to expand and develop new collaborations in research, faculty development and graduate student exchanges.

The event is organized by the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and supported by the WVU Office of Global Affairs along with the UFPR Agency for International Affairs.

Eileen Harvey will assume the director of Fitness Information Technology Publishing role, following the retirement of Barb Dalton. FiT Publishing, an international publisher in sport sciences, operates in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. 

FiT publishes books, peer-reviewed journals and digital products in sport psychology, sport and cultural studies, sport management and physical education. FiT Publishing’s most popular books are available in hard copy and digital formats.

A College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences staff member was honored for her superior dedication during a recent Office of Student Success Zoom meeting. Melinda Gallagher, OSS student success coordinator for online graduate students, received a 2020 WVU Values Coin for her commitment and enthusiasm in her daily role.

“Melinda has been an awesome addition to our office and the glue holding us all together during the past pandemic year. She goes above and beyond her duties, always eager to jump into a project or take on a new challenge,” Elizabeth (Betsy) Robbins, OSS student success coordinator said.

Recent transitions within the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Office of Student Success will further boost the college’s student services offerings related to recruitment and retention. Through staff expansion and reorganization, along with additional opportunities to establish new program initiatives, OSS is well positioned to enhance student services.

Melinda Gallagher and Colton Metzger have joined the team as new student success coordinators. Gallagher will work directly with online graduate students while Metzger will assist undergraduate Health and Well-being students. Cole Smith and Kimberly Cameon have joined OSS in their current roles as web/graphic designer and communications specialist, respectively. Lindsay Augustine will lead OSS initiatives as the newly named assistant dean for student and enrollment services.

Michael Stokes was the first member of his family to earn a bachelor's degree from a major university. Growing up in a small town, Stokes worked hard to succeed. Through perseverance, the Norvelt, Pa. native says has realized his early career dreams. 

Stokes, B.S. sport management (2020), secured a position following graduation as an assistant equipment manager for the WVU baseball and basketball teams. “Landing my dream job right out of college at the age of 26 is truly a blessing. I still can’t believe I get to wake every day and do what I do,” Stokes said.