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The West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences has announced that its Coaching and Performance Science undergraduate program has received accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education.

The formal announcement was made in July at the annual National Strength and Conditioning Association conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Cathy Manley, Student Success Coordinator in the West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences, has been awarded a NACADA New Advisor Annual Conference Scholarship, one of just three given each year by the National Academic Advising Association.

The scholarship provides full registration to the NACADA Annual Conference, the premier professional development event for academic advisors worldwide. The award supports new advising professionals with 1-3 years of experience and is intended to foster future leadership within NACADA.

A recent feature in WVU Magazine highlights the WVU Men’s Soccer Team’s mentoring program at Brookhaven Elementary, where players teach soccer skills and serve as role models for young students. The story illustrates the intersection of education and sport central to our mission at the College of Applied Human Sciences. Brookhaven Principal Sara Kane credits the WVU School of Education for helping make the program a success — one that promotes physical activity, life skills, and college-going aspirations.

The West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences has named three faculty members to endowed professorships in recognition of their outstanding contributions to teaching, research, and service.

Sean Bulger , a professor in the School of Sport Sciences, was recognized with the Chester E. and Helen B. Derrick CAHS Endowed Professorship. Allison Swan Dagen , a professor in the School of Education, was awarded the Chester E. and Helen B. Derrick Teacher Education Endowed Professorship. Erin McHenry-Sorber, a professor in the School of Education, has been appointed the Alice Trotter Muffly Endowed Professorship.

Active Southern West Virginia (Active SWV), in partnership with the West Virginia Physical Activity Plan, is launching a new statewide initiative: Move More with Active SWV: How Do You Measure Your Mountaineer Mile? The six-week virtual challenge begins on Monday, June 9, and encourages West Virginians to discover and expand their daily physical activity, no matter their current fitness level or preferred type of movement.

The campaign invites both individuals and organizations to commit to moving more over six weeks.

Allan Johnson, a graduate of West Virginia University’s sport management master's program, received one of the highest honors in the profession by being inducted into the Legends in the Field Strength and Conditioning Hall of Fame at the 2025 CSCCa National Conference in Indianapolis.

A native of Parkersburg, W.Va., Johnson has spent more than 35 years advancing strength and conditioning practices across high school, collegiate, and professional sports. His career includes influential roles with WVU, Ohio State, Northwestern, East Tennessee State, and the Baltimore Orioles. He has coached more than 150 professional draft picks and contributed to multiple national championships and undefeated seasons.

The College of Applied Human Sciences recognized five faculty and staff members for their outstanding contributions during the 2024-25 academic year at the college-wide assembly held on May 15.

Courtney Shimek received the CAHS Outstanding Researcher Award, which recognizes a faculty member whose research has significantly impacted their field in the past year. Shimek’s research focuses on early childhood literacy and teacher preparation. Since January 2024, she has published four peer-reviewed journal articles and two peer-reviewed book chapters, with topics spanning multimodal read-aloud strategies, the science of reading, and educator mentorship. Her research has appeared in high-impact academic journals such as The Reading Teacher as well as practitioner outlets like the West Virginia Reading Association Visual Journal, supporting classroom teachers across the state. She also contributed book chapters that explored innovations in post-pandemic education and strategies for mentoring novice teacher educators. In addition to her publishing activity, she also led or contributed to several grant initiatives, including a $120,000 project funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to support early literacy across West Virginia, and presented at national and state-level conferences.

West Virginia University baseball head coach Steve Sabins and Director of the School of Sports Sciences Dana Voelker have announced the addition of Courtney Semkewyc as a Biomechanist and Service Assistant Professor, a role that connects the School of Sport Sciences and the Baseball Biomechanics and Performance Center. Semkewyc will lead the center's daily operations while contributing to teaching, research, and outreach in sport biomechanics and related areas.

The College of Applied Human Sciences will celebrate commencement on Sunday, May 18, at 9 a.m. at the WVU Coliseum. Here is a look at several graduates from the College who will earn their degrees this weekend.

Hope Wright combined her passion for education and music through field experience and performances with “The Pride of West Virginia.” Chloe Hardesty, inspired by her family’s legacy in education, logged more than 900 hours in local classrooms and will now teach while pursuing a master’s degree.

Before the sun could rise over the market stalls in Ghana, a young Sandra Ayivor was already on her feet—completing her house chores, setting up tables, organizing wares, and helping her “auntie” prepare for the day’s sales. Then, with barely a pause, she made the long walk to school. There was no complaint. No thought of another way. It was just what needed to be done.

“It’s just what I did,” she says simply, reflecting on her upbringing in a God-fearing home where the values of faith, hard work, determination, and kindness were instilled and serve as the bedrock of who she is today.