I hope this message finds you well.
We are excited to share in this newsletter some of the exciting things going on in the NIU Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education.
You will find several news stories included in this newsletter, and below are some interesting updates from each of our academic program areas.
Please also stay in touch with us online at http://www.cedu.niu.edu/knpe/ and feel free to reach out to me anytime at cmcevoy@niu.edu.
And if you are in the area around Homecoming or another time, try to stop by and see us in Anderson Hall. You might notice some space improvements in our main office foyer and classroom corridor that really help give a fresh look to Anderson Hall!
If you are able to support our programs financially, please consider designating a gift to KNPE by contacting Adam Neal, Director of Advancement, College of Education, at aneal@niu.edu or by donating online at http://niufoundation.org/invest-niu/ways-give/.
Best Regards,
Chad McEvoy, Professor and Chair
NIU Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education
PROGRAM UPDATES
As we have for a number of years, KNPE offers three bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees to approximately 550 students. We’re also excited to launch new programs and minors in the next couple years.
Here are some quick updates on our degree programs.
Athletic Training (B.S.; M.S. coming in 2020)
- The Master’s of Science in Athletic Training program was approved the Illinois State Board of Education and the Higher Learning Commission last year. Our last three annual cohorts of undergraduate students are in the program now, and our new master’s program will launch in 2020.
- Related to the launch of the new master’s program, our athletic training and kinesiology faculty have collaborated on the college’s first accelerated degree program, a 3+2 program where students can earn a B.S. in Kinesiology and M.S. in Athletic Training expedited over five years instead of the traditional six years.
- We are currently in the process of search for two new tenure-track professors in athletic training, with Dr. Bill Pitney serving as program director this year in addition to his associate dean duties. If you know of any strong faculty candidates, they can learn more about the positions and apply online through NIU’s Human Resources website.
Kinesiology (B.S.)
- Our Kinesiology team is excited to welcome Dr. Shaine Henert as a new associate professor and program director. Henert was previous a faculty member and department chair at Rock Valley College in nearby Rockford, where he had partnered with KNPE in developing a 2+2 community college partnership for students to complete kinesiology degrees from both Rock Valley and NIU, which you might have read about in our news last year. We are also pleased to have visiting professor Emerson Sebastião promoted to assistant professor.
- To provide new pathways for students to pursue degrees in our field, KNPE has signed its first 2+2 community college partnership with Rock Valley College in Rockford. The partnership will allow students to seamlessly transition from Rock Valley’s A.A.S. degree in Fitness, Wellness and Sport into KNPE’s B.S. in Kinesiology.
- Building upon a 25-year partnership between KNPE and DeKalb’s Oak Crest Retirement Center, Dr. Emerson Sebastião is conducting research on the effect of sedentary behaviors of seniors living at Oak Crest.
Kinesiology and Physical Education (M.S.Ed.; Ph.D. proposed for launch in 2020)
- With mentorship from Dr. Jenn Jacobs and Dr. Pete Chomentowski, KNPE has formed its first student organization focused on professional development for graduate students in the department.
- Our graduate faculty has prepared a curricular proposal for the possibility of adding a new interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Kinesiology and Physical Education, our first doctoral program in the department. Stay tuned for more details over the next year or so as we pursue this potential opportunity.
Physical Education (B.S.Ed.)
- Dr. Zach Wahl was named the NIU College of Education’s Excellence in Research and Artistry Award winner for 2018. This is the second consecutive year a physical education faculty member has won the award, following Dr. Jim Ressler in 2017.
- Earlier this year, we ran a story on Jeff and Tyler Maveus, a father and son who have both pursued careers as physical educators through our program.
Sport Management (M.S.; B.S. launching in 2019)
- NIU Sport Management faculty and students spent two days in April in Indianapolis as part of the College of Education’s Engage U.S. program. The trip included time at the NCAA, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Purdue University, allowing students to connect with and learn from industry leaders from a variety of sport organizations.
- Please read more about our the launch of our new undergraduate sport management major and minors as well as the forthcoming Community Learning Series event showcasing these programs Wednesday, Oct. 17.
