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Registration is open for the 2024 WV Physical Activity Symposium – Uniting Leaders for an ActiveWV, on Wednesday, May 29, at Stonewall Jackson Resort. The symposium, hosted by ActiveWV in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Health, is aimed at fostering collaboration and action towards a healthier West Virginia.

Registration is free, but limited spots are available. The symposium runs from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with breakfast, lunch, and snacks included. (Register now) 

The College of Applied Human Sciences will celebrate Commencement on Sunday, May 12, at 9 a.m. at the WVU Coliseum. Here is a look at several graduates from the College who will be earning their degree this weekend.

Adrianna Wood, with her major in sport and exercise psychology, found a supportive community and practical experiences that fueled her passion for human resources. Heather Bond, a graduate from the health and well-being program, combined her educational passion with her passion for aviation. Rachael Ratliff's path in elementary education was influenced by family and shaped by her practicum experience, while Kylie Coon is one of the first early childhood special education graduates and determined to make an impact. Cody Fisher's switch to physical education and kinesiology led him to find his place in teaching, embracing the opportunities that have prepared him for a fulfilling career.

Sam Zizzi, Pat Fehl Endowed Professor in the College of Applied Human Sciences, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Faculty Award for Distinction in Graduate Research Mentoring.

Sponsored by the Office of Graduate Education and Life, the award was created in the 2018-19 academic year to honor faculty who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the mentorship of graduate students.

West Virginia University’s Eloise Elliott was recently inducted as a fellow into the North America Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals at the SHAPE America Convention in Cleveland.

Elliott, Ware Distinguished Professor in the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences, was one of eight to be inducted into this year’s class. Fellows must demonstrate outstanding competence through professional involvement over a period of at least 20 years and be engaged in a minimum of two identified aspects of professional contributions (teaching, administration, professional or scholarly literature, and leadership within their discipline or service to the community).

Zabrya Robson, a behavior health counselor at Community Care of West Virginia, came to West Virginia University knowing she wanted to help others. She earned her undergraduate degree at WVU, and then when looking for a master’s program to pursue counseling, she once again chose WVU largely because of the flexibility of the clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling program.

B.S., Sport and Exercise Psychology, WVU (2021)
M.S., Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, WVU (2023)

Sports were an integral part of Makayla Riley’s life growing up in Landover, Md. Her father coached the youth football and basketball teams, and for her part, Riley participated in gymnastics and dance growing up. She also was the team manager for both the football and boy’s lacrosse teams.

It was primarily through the success of West Virginia University’s football and basketball teams that she became aware of the school she would eventually attend.

The following is an essay by Gonzalo Bravo , a professor of sport management at West Virginia University, about his recent sabbatical to his native country, Chile, for the Pan American and Parapan American Games last fall. The essay provides a brief history of the often-overlooked competitions and the impact that the games have on athletes, nations, and the host country. He also shares the challenges and experiences of collecting data for upcoming research projects, his volunteer experience at the games, and the personal and professional rewards from the unique sabbatical experience.

Last fall, I had the opportunity to complete a sabbatical leave in Santiago, Chile. This enabled me to concentrate full-time on the data collection process of four large-scale research studies during the XIX Pan American and VII Parapan American Games held in Santiago from Oct. 20 to Nov. 26, 2023.

After working summer camps with kids, Tyler Derkotch knew it was what he wanted to do for a living. At WVU, he found that the physical education and kinesiology program offered the kinds of hands-on learning he enjoyed in a field he was passionate about. Working at a daycare in Morgantown has only strengthened his conviction to work with children as a physical education teacher. 

Major: Physical Education and Kinesiology
Class: Sophomore

West Virginia University’s Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology program has partnered with local organizations to launch a martial arts program for individuals with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities. (FULL PHOTO GALLERY)

Jeanette Garcia joined WVU’s College of Applied Human Sciences in the School of Sport Sciences in August 2023. Prior to coming to Morgantown, she was at the University of Central Florida where her research focused on developing community-based for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, primarily those with autism.

Peter McGahey, teaching assistant professor at West Virginia University, has been named as an assistant coach for the United States Power Soccer National Team. He is one of two assistants under the direction of head coach Tracy Mayer.

McGahey’s appointment is for the next World Cup cycle. The next World Cup is in 2026 in Argentina. The United States is coming off a third-place finish in the 2023 World Cup in Australia.