New approach, facilities shape modern exercise science programs

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.

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

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.

“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

hands-on and laboratory experiences through dedicated lab space for student research projects and state-of-the-art equipment like:

• BOD POD ® , assessing body composition

• Electrocardiogram, detecting heart problems

• VeloTron, assessing anaerobic power

• Heart rate variability software

• Diagnostic ultrasound

Students learn about the methods for assessing health and wellness before walking across the hall or to the back of the room to practice these same tests on classmates. Whether it is cardiovascular stress, body composition, heart rate variability or other health and wellness assessments, students can “see one, do one” during the same class period.

“I hope that our students develop an appreciation for physical activity and sport as holistic experiences with significant psychological, social and physical components,” says Cole. “I also hope that our graduates use their understanding of physical activity and sport to positively impact not just an individual’s health, wellness and quality of life, but that they use their knowledge to improve society as a whole.”

Brock Woodman ’18 assists community member J.J. Curi with a dead lift as a member of the student athletic training staff.

Exercise Science Welcomes Two New Faculty Members

Mark Cole with Brock Woodman ’18

Mark Cole, Associate Professor and Chair of Exercise Science

Cole began his career as an athletic trainer, working at all levels from clinic to high school to professional and Olympic. He later earned a doctorate in sport psychology and the sociology of sport. Cole’s research focuses on the psychological aspects of injury and rehabilitation and how healthcare providers can better use their understanding of these psychological factors to improve the recovery and rehabilitation. Learn more about Cole at ripon.edu/faculty/colem.

Brittany Followay

Brittany Followay, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science

Followay joined the faculty in fall 2018 from Kent State in Ohio. She brings practical experience in various areas of exercise science, including cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, wellness consulting, personal training, and exercise testing and prescription. Her research emphasis is in neuromuscular physiology and injury/disease prevention in the aging population. Learn more about Followay at ripon.edu/faculty/followayb.