Sean Brown
sbrow159@vols.utk.edu
HPER 136
Research Interests
Lower Extremity Biomechanics, Biomechanics of Gait, Biomechanics of Pathologic Gait, Biomechanics of Athletic Footwear, Cycling Biomechanics, Biomechanical factors influencing Sport Performance
Faculty Advisor
Songning Zhang, Ph.D.
Courses Taught
| KNS 332 Lab | Applied Anatomy Laboratory |
| KNS 422 Lab | Biomechanics of Human Movement |
| KNS 531 Lab | Graduate Biomechanics Laboratory |
Education
| MA | California State University, Chico | Kinesiology |
| BS | California State University, Chico | Exercise Physiology |
Jake Melaro
jmelaro@vols.utk.edu
HPER 136
Research Interests
Lower Extremity Biomechanics, influencing Sport Performance and Injury Prevention, ACL Injury Biomechanics, Gait Biomechanics, Baseball Hitting & Pitching Biomechanics
Faculty Advisor
Joshua T. Weinhandl, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 332 Lab | Applied Anatomy Laboratory |
| KNS 422 Lab | Biomechanics of Human Movement |
Education
| MS | University of Memphis | Biomechanics |
| BS | University of Tennessee, Martin | Exercise Science & Wellness |
Walter Menke
wmenke@vols.utk.edu
HPER 136
Research Interests
Joint and cartilage health analysis in osteoarthritic groups, primarily in the older population. Therapy interventions and gait alteration to prevent cartilage degradation.
Faculty Advisor
Songning Zhang, Ph.D.
Courses Taught
| KNS 332 Lab | Applied Anatomy Laboratory |
Education
| MS | University of Kentucky | Biomechanics |
| BS | University of Kentucky | Kinesiology and Health Promotion |
Cory Beaumont
cbeaumo1@vols.utk.edu
HPER 303
Research Interests
Resistance exercise and creating person-specific programs in order to promote long-term adherence.
Faculty Advisor
Kelley Strohacker, Ph.D.
Courses Taught
| KNS 480 | Physiology of Exercise |
Education
| MS | University of Pittsburgh | Health, Physical Activity, and Chronic Disease |
| BS | Edinboro University | Human Performance |
Adam Ibrahim
aibrah11@vols.utk.edu
HPER 303
Research Interests
Application and utilization of autoregulation in resistance training, performance and physique optimization, psycho-behavioral aspects of exercise, and dieting adherence.
Faculty Advisor
Kelley Strohacker, Ph.D.
Courses Taught
| KNS 480 Lab | Physiology of Exercise |
Education
| MS | University of South Florida | Exercise Science and Strength & Conditioning |
| BS | University of South Florida | Exercise Science |
Jenna Parsons
jparso23@vols.utk.edu
HPER 303
Research Interests
Readiness to exercise and psycho-social and psycho-behavioral aspects of exercise adherence from youth to adulthood.
Faculty Advisor
Kelley Strohacker, Ph.D.
Courses Taught
| KNS 414 Lab | Fitness Testing and Exercise Prescription |
Education
| BS | Plymouth State University | Exercise and Sport Psychology |
Aaron Wood
awood46@vols.utk.edu
HPER 305
Research Interests
The relationships among physical activity, motor skill development, and self-regulation in preschool children
Faculty Advisor
Dawn P. Coe, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 350 GTA | Physical Activity Epidemiology |
Education
| MS | East Carolina University | Physical Activity Promotion |
| BS | East Carolina University | Health & Fitness Specialist |
Ashley Cae Gardner
agardn25@vols.utk.edu
HPER 233
Research Interests
Human resource management in sport; racial diversity in sport organizations; constraints to career mobility for people of color in sport organizations; corporate cultures of sport organizations
Faculty Advisors
Steven Waller, PhD and Adam Love, PhD
Education
| MA | University of Michigan | Sport Management |
| BS | Hampton University | Sport Management |
Patrick Crowe
pcrowe@vols.utk.edu
Research Interests
Power dynamics in sport, sport media representations, portrayals of minoritized communities, sport for social change.
Faculty Advisors
Lars Dzikus, PhD and Adam Love, PhD
Courses Taught
| RSM 330 | Sport Communication |
| RSM 335 | Sociocultural Foundations of Sport and Recreation |
Education
| MS | University of Rhode Island | Cultural Studies of Sport |
| BS | University of Kentucky | Kinesiology |
Lauren Beasley, LMSW
lauren.beasley@utk.edu
HPER 22
Research Interests
Mental health of collegiate athletes, mental health programming in athletic departments, and social work in sport
Faculty Advisor
Robin Hardin, PhD
Courses Taught
| RSM 250 | Foundations of Sport Management |
| RSM 335 | Sociocultural Foundations of Sport and Recreation |
| RSM 380 | Holistic Care of Athletes |
| RSM 410 | Intercollegiate Athletics |
Education
| MSW | The University of Texas at San Antonio | Social Work |
| BA | The University of Texas at Austin | American Studies, Latin |
Chermaine Cole
ccole35@vols.utk.edu
Research Interests
Career experiences of African American women in sports and recreation; racial diversity in sport organizations; organizational behavior; public administration
Faculty Advisor
Steven Waller, PhD
Courses Taught
| RSM 310 | Developing and Evaluating Therapeutic Recreation Programs |
| RSM 335 | Sociocultural Foundations of Sport and Recreation |
| RSM 430 | Administration of Therapeutic Recreation Services (Teaching Assistant) |
Education
| MS | Georgia State University | Sport Administration |
| BS | Louisiana State University | Kinesiology |
Emily Johnson
ejohn112@vols.utk.edu
HPER 22
Research Interests
Employee rights in sport workplaces; psychology of employee performance; religion and sport
Faculty Advisor
Steven Waller, PhD
Courses Taught
| PYED 202 | Badminton |
| PYED 230 | Fitness Swimming |
| PYED 239 | Beginner Swimming |
| PYED 252 | Weight Training |
| PYED 254 | Yoga and Relaxation |
Education
| MS | University of Tennessee | Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior |
| BS | Baylor University | Health Science Studies |
Jamee Ann Pelcher, MBA
jpelche1@vols.utk.edu
HPER 233
Research Interests
Sport Sustainability
Faculty Advisor
Sylvia Trendafilova, PhD
Courses Taught
| RSM 360 | Sport Governance |
| RSM 440 | Sport Marketing |
Education
| MBA | Western Carolina University | Sport Management Concentration |
| Certificate | Seattle University | Sport Sustainability Leadership Graduate Certificate |
| BS, BA | Western Carolina University | Finance and Sport Management |
Publications
Orr, M., Rowand, M., McCullough, B., & Pelcher, J. A. (2020). Green teams, living labs and venue tours: Using sport as a venue and vehicle to elevate transformative sustainability learning. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education.
McCullough, B. P., Pelcher, J. A., & Trendafilova, S. (2020). An exploratory analysis of the environmental sustainability performance signaling communications among North American sport organizations. Sustainability. 12(5), 1950; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051950
Pelcher, J. A., & McCullough, B. P. (2019). Greening the university’s front porch: Environmental sustainability in collegiate athletics. Case Studies in Sport Management, 8(1),13-17. https://doi.org/10.1123/cssm.2019-0005
Parrish, C., & Pelcher, J. (2018). United States. In J.-M. De Waele, S. Gibril, E. Gloriozova, R. Spaaij (Eds.), The Palgrave International Handbook of Football and Politics (pp. 531-555). London: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 978-3-319-78776-3
Kelsie Saxe
ksaxe@vols.utk.edu
HPER 22
Research Interests
High-performance cultures, leadership, the interface between wellness and performance within teams
Faculty Advisor
Rob Hardin, PhD
Courses Taught
| RSM 250 | Foundations of Sport Management |
| RSM 335 | Socio-Cultural Foundations of Sport and Recreation |
Education
| MS | University of Tennessee | Kinesiology and Sport Studies |
| BS | University of Idaho | Public Relations and Communication |
Alexander Bianco
abianco@vols.utk.edu
HPER 144
Research Interests
The psychosocial aspects of sport injury and the development of interprofessional care teams in sport injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Faculty Advisor
Rebecca A. Zakrajsek, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 231 | Introduction to Sport Psychology |
| KNS 332 Lab | Applied Anatomy |
Education
| MS | Miami University | Kinesiology & Health |
| BA | Miami University | Psychology |
Victoria Bradshaw
Research Interests
Examining the intersection of race and gender in the athletic arena and how this impacts perceptions of sport enjoyment.
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Leslee Fisher
Courses Taught
| KNS 231 | Introduction to Sport Psychology |
| PYED 200 | Mind & Body Training |
| PYED 226 | Exercise & Nutrition |
| PYED 244 | Beginning Tennis |
Education
| MA | John F. Kennedy University | Sport Psychology |
| BA | Willamette University | Psychology |
Logan Markwell
lmarkwel@vols.utk.edu
HPER 144
Research Interests
Focus of attention, instruction, feedback, and virtual reality to improve skill acquisition and optimize the performance of motor skills
Faculty Advisor
Jared M. Porter, PhD
Courses Taught
| PYED 229 | Jogging |
| PYED 236 | Softball |
| PYED 252 | Weight Training |
Education
| MS | Southern Illinois University | Kinesiology (Exercise Science concentration) |
| BA | Southern Illinois University | Criminal Justice |
Rachel Williams
rwill175@vols.utk.edu
Research Interests
Teaching practices in higher education based on psychological theories and framework, psychosocial aspects of youth sports, youth athletes leadership, and life-skill development
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Jedediah Blanton
Courses Taught
| KNS 290 | Principles of Movement Control and Skill Learning |
| PYED 200 | Mind & Body Training |
| PYED 237 | Stress Management |
Education
| MS | East Carolina University | Sport and Exercise Psychology |
| BS | University of North Carolina, Wilmington | Exercise Science |
Recent Publications
Williams, R. E., Barreria, T. V., & Tseh, W. (2020). Fitness-related benefits: land-based versus aqua-base. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 60(1), 26–31. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.19.09675-0
Joei Velten
jvelten@vols.utk.edu
HPER 144
Research Interests
Attentional focus, motor skill learning, optimal performance strategies
Faculty Advisor
Jared M. Porter, PhD
Courses Taught
| PYED 237 | Stress Management |
| PYED 252 | Weight Training |
Education
| MS | Florida State University | Sport Psychology |
| BS | Texas Christian University | Kinesiology |