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All aspiring physical education students in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Physical Education and Kinesiology (PEK) program have overcome a crucial hurdle as they prepare to follow their dreams to teach in the classroom. In the spring of 2020, CPASS teacher candidates recorded the highest national pass rate in their first attempt for their compulsory teacher preparation program.

Students are required to pass edTPA, a performance-based, subject-specific assessment and support system used by teacher training programs throughout the United States. edTPA focuses on the skills and knowledge that all teachers need from day one in the classroom.

Erin Jordan has joined the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences as a teaching assistant professor and program coordinator in the college's new Health and Well-being major. Jordan will work closely with Office of Student Success staff and Emily Murphy, associate professor and new HWB faculty member, to build an environment that promotes student growth and success.

Jordan, from Clearfield, PA, will guide the college in establishing the new program within WVU. The CPASS Health and Well-being program is designed for students with a passion for helping others and who have an interest in a health sciences career. The program provides students with a flexible track toward careers such as nursing, athletic training, physical and occupational therapy or chiropractic.

The College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences has recognized the recipients of the 2019-2020 outstanding teaching, research and service faculty and staff awards, as announced by Dean Jack Watson.  

“I’m especially proud of the faculty and staff who were recognized this academic year for their passion, innovation and expertise. Their outstanding dedication to the college, West Virginia University, the state and beyond is unparalleled. As we end this semester and look ahead, I have no doubt that their Mountaineer values will help guide us through the current challenges, as we navigate these uncertain times,” said Watson.  

WVU appoints Morris, Watson as deans through 2022

During a time of transition and uncertainty, two experienced West Virginia University administrators currently serving as interim deans will be given extended appointments to continue their service to their colleges. 

As conversations regarding the profession of sport coaching and support of coaching as a profession continue to expand, the Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Studies in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences is one of the first programs in the United States to support the academic preparation of potential coaches, coach educators and coaching directors.

Kristen Dieffenbach, associate professor, coaching and performance science, served as guest editor and key contributor for a special issue on sport coaching in the 32nd volume for the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, the official journal of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

Sport is a global phenomenon that transcends beyond what we see on the court, field or pitch. It is a driving force that connects individuals around the world. In an ongoing international partnership, Carla Tagliari, a doctoral student from Brazil, recently arrived on the West Virginia University campus to complete a short residency training at the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.

Tagliari will work under the supervision of Dr. Gonzalo Bravo, CPASS associate professor in sport management, from the spring 2020 semester into the summer. During this time, she will continue working on her dissertation on perceptions of service quality of grassroots participants in southern Brazil.

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.

Students in the college’s sport and exercise psychology program are learning key concepts in the classroom with the help of digital media. As time and technology progress, faculty members are using different platforms to support networking in the sport industry. 

Dr. Scott Barnicle, teaching assistant professor and program coordinator, sport and exercise psychology, has played an instrumental role in the application of digital media within the classroom. Barnicle has applied a variety of techniques at WVU, including Skype, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Many college students struggle with the uncertainty of life after graduation and how to apply their major. Sport and exercise psychology graduate Jay Spenser Darden experienced a change in career paths, after discovering his true passion.  

Darden, from Springfield, Va., currently serves as the director of diversity initiatives and community engagement at West Virginia University. Upon earning his B.S. (2011) in sport and exercise psychology, he had career goals of using outdoor and adventure education to encourage healthy lifestyles. While at WVU, he worked as a leader for Adventure WV, gaining valuable insight and knowledge in the field.

The 2019 WVU Day of Giving was an important effort for CPASS, raising nearly $25,000 for the college, while West Virginia University generated more than $11.3 million. The third annual event, held Nov. 13, encouraged students, faculty, staff and friends of WVU to provide critical funding to ensure the continuation of numerous opportunities for growth within the WVU community.

During the 24-hour on line timeframe, CPASS received 100 donations. Interestingly, CPASS received 100 donations last year as well. Overall, this landed CPASS in 15th place among all units. However, in comparison to academic colleges only, CPASS finished in 9th place, ahead of units such as nursing, education, pharmacy and dentistry.