Spring 2014 Message from the Chair
Dear Friends of Kinesiology,
Another academic year is drawing to a close, so it’s a great time to review a few accomplishments:
- Our faculty are collectively funded for more than $10 million in ongoing grants with the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
- STRIDE is in the final stages of becoming a university center for the study of obesity prevention. Official recognition will likely take place by fall quarter.
- We have outstanding students who are thoroughly engaged in their coursework and their community.
- Our alumni-to-be achieved the highest four-year graduation rate in the past six years.
Striving for continuous improvement, the faculty revised the undergraduate curriculum and created two distinct concentrations in exercise science and health science. The changes will be implemented in fall 2015. The new curriculum also gives students greater flexibility to incorporate prerequisite courses for graduate school or to study abroad. I predict we will see graduation rates increase while alumni continue to be some of the most broadly prepared kinesiology professionals in the state.
To keep the department current, it's critically important for us to keep the student perspective in mind. I formed a Kinesiology Student Council, with whom I meet every couple of weeks. I find their input, energy and ideas refreshing and energizing. Their input led to upgraded furniture and instructional technology in our second floor lab, and they have been great ambassadors to department guests and prospective students.
Looking forward to next year, we want to expand applied learning opportunities in exercise science. Through a collaboration with ASI, kinesiology majors will provide personal training in the campus recreation center. We're also developing opportunities for our majors to provide exercise-testing services for local athletes.
As I finish my 15th year at Cal Poly and reflect back on my time in San Luis Obispo, I feel profoundly grateful to be living on the Central Coast and working at Cal Poly. We have great students and faculty, and I'm proud to be their department chair.
Please visit our website (link) periodically as we've been working hard on upgrades. Thanks for keeping in touch with the Kinesiology Department. If you see a potential for improvement or an opportunity for collaboration with you, your company or someone you know, please be in touch at kinesiology@calpoly.edu or 805-756-2545.
Take care, never stop learning, and as one of our graduates always reminds me, enjoy the ride!
Cheers,
Kevin
