New space • New degree plans • New department head
On the move with HPPE Now the second largest program on campus, with more than 200 majors, Human Performance and Physical Education prepares for the future with updates to degree plans, a new location, and the energy to prepare their graduates for the ever- widening and growing field of health and fitness. With positive energy and a go-to attitude, Dr. Beez Schell, chair, wasted no time in reviewing the department’s needs when she came on board in the fall of 2011. She immediately saw the need to separate the degree offerings at the undergraduate and master’s level to better serve the students and their future careers.
new degree plans Schell realized the advantage of changing the exercise science programs to a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science. A new major in sports management was created, and HPPE continues to offer many minors. Schell aligned the exercise science degree to match requirements for graduate physical therapy programs. “Our current curriculum helps students in applying for graduate school in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and chiropractic medicine.” Dr. Tracey Robinson, professor of HPPE, said this decision increased students’ chances of acceptance into physical therapy programs and raised the level of academic rigor, particularly for exercise science. “The coursework is much more rigorous, especially at the master’s level,” she said. “Now students are better prepared for continuing to a Ph.D. program.” Grad student Maria Martinez, who received her bachelor’s degree in HPPE 12
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aStater fall 2012
from Adams State in May 2012, said in grad school the academic focus shifts from just the basic understanding of the concepts, to what, why, and how. “Grad school is also focused on research, and the labs we have on East Campus offer a variety of equipment that can be utilized for such purposes.”
new location The recent move of the entire HPPE Department out of Plachy Hall and into the East Campus Building (formerly Evans School, First & La Veta Ave.) allowed the addition of the Strength and Conditioning Lab and the Biomechanics Lab to the already existing Human Performance Lab. Robinson oversees the Human Performance Lab and, along with graduate students, offers fitness testing to the community. Testing includes VO2 Max, Wingate anaerobic power test, Fitness Age, body composition measurements, and individualized fitness programming. “The new building and lab are awesome. The exercise physiology, biomechanics, and strength and conditioning labs really enrich the learning experience of the student,” Martinez said. “Students are able to take what they have learned in lecture and be able to apply it through a variety of labs exercises.” Schell said the new location expanded educational value and the program’s potential. “We really have a lot of room to grow and provide
students with top-of-the-line human performance testing equipment.” HPPE instructor Jeff Storm said the new surroundings include an up-to-date computer lab, Smart classrooms with tables and chairs rather than the old small orange desks, and a study area. HPPE administrative assistant Barbara Griego-Jones noted, “Having a study lounge with plenty of space for individual or group study areas, a computer lab, and an area to relax and eat