Ripon Magazine Winter 2019

Page 26

New approach, facilities shape modern exercise science programs Both the field of exercise science and the program at Ripon College are growing, and it’s expected that growth will continue in the years to come. The health and wellness industry has exploded with 12.8 percent growth from 2015-17 and is now a $4.2 trillion global industry. One of Ripon’s most popular areas of study is well-positioned to meet increasing demand, thanks to the addition of two new faculty members, a new curriculum, and state-of-the-art facilities in Willmore Center. This fall, the Department of Exercise Science rolled out a new curriculum designed to support four majors: athletic training, human performance, physical education and sports management; and

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four minors: adapted physical education, coaching, health, and strength and conditioning. “By expanding our courses and course offerings, we have increased the rigor within the department and improved the skill sets that graduates possess,” explains Mark Cole, associate professor and chair of exercise science, who joined Ripon in spring 2016. During the redesign process, faculty placed an emphasis on extending the rigor of coursework, aligning content and hands-on experiences with changing national standards, and mirroring the labor market and society’s increasing interest in the sub-disciplines within exercise science, Cole says.

Jessica Bykowski ’18 and Associate Professor of Exercise Science Mark Cole examine the body composition of Brock Woodman ’18, who sits in the department’s new BOD POD®. Bykowski majored in exercise science with an athletic training emphasis, and Woodman majored in recreation physical education.

“The exercise science faculty come from very different backgrounds, allowing us to collaborate and provide students with applicable experiences and knowledge in almost any career related to the broad field of exercise science,” says Brittany Followay, assistant professor of exercise science, who joined Ripon last fall. “Our focus is to prepare and educate students to become successful health and fitness professionals through the development of key skills such as effective communication, critical thinking, real-world application and community engagement.” Willmore Center plays a big role in mixing the applied experiences with scholarly learning. Engaging classrooms, modern equipment and adjacent activity spaces are paramount. Students gain exceptional


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