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A new, faculty-led development program at CPASS is setting a high bar. The program seeks to fulfill a big part of the College’s strategic international mission — increasing student engagement, opening up collaboration between multiple institutions, building an international dimension into existing programs and connecting students with opportunities across the world.

CPASS maintains a strategic priority of increasing student engagement in our international mission. The College continues to support major-specific study abroad trips. However, study abroad has limitations and reaches only a small number of students. In an interactive and global workforce, other academic innovations are needed to provide a higher percentage of students with international learning experiences.

What better way to introduce children to science, technology, engineering and math than through sports and exercise? During this summer’s WVU National Youth Sports Program, the Mountaineer Area RoboticS team, (MARS) stopped by to share their passion about competitive robotics and mental skills. 

Eleven MARS volunteers visited NYSP to promote interest in STEM education. They incorporated their knowledge about robotics in NYSP activities, engaging the campers through active learning. 

Jamie Hall’s time playing under head soccer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown translated into a passion for student-athlete development. At West Virginia University, she blends her enthusiasm for sponsorship and donor work with the creation of interactive, student-athlete focused fan activities throughout the year.

An SEP faculty member blended a worldwide group of experts in a publication highlighting mindful, joyful living.

Sam Zizzi, Dr. Pat Fehl Endowed Professor, along with  Mark B. Andersen, an adjunct professor at Halmstad University in Sweden, published “Being Mindful in Sport and Exercise Psychology: Pathways for Practitioners and Students.”

For Zenzi Huysmans, her education is much more than attending class and completing internships. 

Huysmans, who was born in the Kingdom of eSwatini in southern Africa, earned a dual degree in psychology and biological anthropology from Duke University.

Even though Kyle Wilson is one of the most well-known athletic trainers in the country, his initial journey into the industry was not smooth sailing. 

Wilson, BS ’82, Secondary Education with an emphasis in athletic training, WVU, M.A.Ed ’84, minor in psychology, Nicholls State (Louisiana), received his share of rejection letters.

In the fall, CPASS will add a new faculty member to the Physical Education Teacher Education program.

Jeremy Yeats will join West Virginia University after a six-year stint as an assistant professor and two years as the graduate coordinator of the Coaching master’s program at Adams State University, Alamosa, Colorado.

Minor League Baseball prioritizes the ballpark experience.

Enhancing the ballpark experience is in WVU graduate Vince Marcucci’s job description. Marcucci serves as director of corporate and community affairs for the New York Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder.

For Melinda Grant, everything she does is a labor of love.

Grant, who graduated from WVU CPASS twice, first with a B.S. in Physical Education Teacher Education in 1976 and then a master’s in PETE in 1978, found that one way she could give back to CPASS was to donate her time and effort.

When JT Mellendick was pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Coaching Education, he couldn’t imagine being far from the field.

“During undergrad, I interned with the [WVU] baseball staff at Pro Performance in Morgantown,” Mellendick said. “During that internship, I worked with several high school athletes that went on to play Division I baseball and that really prepared me for working with baseball student-athletes.”

On any given Washington Husky game day, John Terry is at the stadium.

He parks his vehicle in the lot before the fans arrive and leaves hours after the parking lots clear and the fanbase goes home.

Black, green and gold: the colors Keith Ricci grew up wearing.

Ricci, who was raised 90 minutes from TD Garden, Boston, knew from a young age that he wanted to surround himself with Boston sports. When he graduated from WVU CPASS in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, he set out to begin his career in the industry.

For Nolan Harvath, being on the field and surrounded by sports was the ideal life. He grew up playing soccer and decided that he wanted to prepare for the college recruitment process.

Brian VanDongen believes in improving sports for all age groups, while enhancing youth athletic development in an age-appropriate manner. VanDongen featured the recreation professional’s critical role in play for children at his presentation during the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association March 2018 conference.

Thanks to everyone who came out to my talk on the recreation professional's role in play for children. Hope you are able to use the information in your communities! #NJRPA18 cc: @USPlayCoalition @NJRPA pic.twitter.com/G9597tyF5i

William Way, Sport and Exercise Psychology doctoral student, participated in the CPASS 2018 Student Research Day. Way won first place in the Graduate Ethics category. For most students, research can sound intimidating, but Way has a view on research that many admire.

During the event held in April, students from both graduate and undergraduate programs exhibited research for faculty review. Even though Way was presenting his own research, being a WVU doctoral student has given him the opportunity to teach a few undergraduate courses.