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I am currently aÌýProfessor in the Ìý²¹³Ù Ìýin St. Peter, Minnesota.Ìý I cameÌýto Â鶹ÊÓƵ inÌý2002 following the completion of myÌýdoctoral degree in Physical Education Pedagogy at the University of Northern Colorado in 2001.Ìý Prior to that I hadÌýearned a B.A. in Biology from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota (1992) and an M.S. in Health Appraisal & Enhancement from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio (1998). ÌýI very much appreciate the opportunity to work with the dedicated faculty and staff within the Department of Health and Exercise Science. ÌýTheir interests, passions, creativity, and support challenge me on a daily basis and make Â鶹ÊÓƵ an invigorating place of employment!

I would consider myself aÌýgeneralist in Kinesiology-related fields where my interests are applied to both research and service activities.Ìý For the past decade, myÌýeducational and scholarly interests have focused upon best practices and methods for general instructional strategies, curriculum development, and quality assessment design within physical activity settings.Ìý In addition, IÌýwas appointed by the Minnesota Department of Education to serve on the Minnesota Physical Education Standards Writing Committee in 2013-2014.Ìý This was an interesting experience, as IÌýworked with a team or writers toÌýrewrite and revise the elementary, middle, and high school-level physical education state standards.Ìý While I have written multipleÌýbook chapters and several journal manuscripts over the years, my recent scholarship has focused uponÌýco-authoringÌý.Ìý FitQuest is a web-based text designed to provide college and university students a personalized learning experience within general fitness, sport, and activity classes.Ìý

I amÌýan active presenter at state, regional, national, and international conferences, typically presenting between 3 and 5 papers annually.Ìý Additionally, IÌýchallenge students every yearÌýto complete student-faculty research projects for presentation at various venues.Ìý I find itÌýrewarding to help future professionals explore their interests in creative ways. ÌýIn 2012 I was honoredÌýby the Ìýas the recipient of the prestigious Lou Keller Award. ÌýThe award recognizes outstanding services and contributions to Physical Education by a university professional. ÌýÌý

As a Health & Physical Educator, I amÌýcommitted to promoting the general wellbeing of Â鶹ÊÓƵ students from both within and outside the classroom.Ìý IÌýchallenge students to embrace, yet question, the institution’s core values of excellence, community, justice, service, and faith in relation to one’s personal vocation.Ìý Working within the Health & Physical Education program, IÌýhave taught courses such as Elementary Physical Education Methods & Content, Secondary Physical Education Methods & Content, Curriculum & Assessment, and the History & Philosophy of Health, Physical Education, & Sport.ÌýÌý IÌýfurther support institutional academic programming efforts by teaching the ever-popular First Term Seminar Leisure Quest.Ìý Over the years, students enrolled in Leisure Quest have participated in the building of over 100 AdirondackÌýchairs that currently grace the campus landscape.ÌýWhether it be completing a service project such as the Adirondack chair build, teaching writing or public speaking, or advising and mentoring, IÌýenjoy working with first year students and helping them to successfully transition to the collegiate experience.Ìý

Service to the institution has also been a wonderful opportunity to develop and hone my leadership capabilities. ÌýOver the years I have sat on many campus and departmental committees, chairing both the Faculty Development Committee and the International and Domestic Programs Committtee. ÌýIn my current role as Department Co-Chair, I have been challenged to oversee the day-to-day operations of one of the larger departments on campus. ÌýWhile I continue to learn something new on a daily basis, my first priority remains theÌýservice of others in positive and beneficial ways.Ìý

An avid traveler and Ìýenthusiast, I haveÌýsuccessfully designed and led 250+ Â鶹ÊÓƵ students on eightÌýinternational January-term travel abroad courses. Olympic Quest investigates the history of the ancient and modern Olympic Games through a cultural, philosophical, societal, and athletic lens, focusing upon the impact that the Games have had on the development of Western civilization.Ìý A popular course, Olympic Quest has traversed around the globe, bringing participants to Australia, New Zealand, China, Germany, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, France, England, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia.ÌýIn the spring of 2015, I was honored to receive the the Ruth Mason Award for Excellence in January Off-Campus Teaching. Ìý

IÌýlive in St. Peter with myÌýwife, , and ourÌýtwo children (Luke and Jake).Ìý In addition to myÌýinterest in traveling, myÌýleisure pursuits include the culinary arts, Harry Potter, playing guitar, woodworking, home renovation projects, scholarly writing, attending summer concerts, experiencing small town festivals, and reading to or playing with myÌýboys!

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Courses Taught