SRU professors and students present at SHAPE America conference

May 3, 2022

Several Slippery Rock University faculty, students and alumni had their work presented at the 2022 SHAPE America National Convention and Expo, April 26-30, in New Orleans.  

Wenhao Liu, a professor of physical and health education, and Istvan Kovacs, an associate professor of physical and health education, shared three research presentations: “Logistic Regression: PA-Promotion Strategies used by Habitual and Regular Exercisers,” “Physical Activity Involvement and Processes of Change among University Students” and “Self-Efficacy of Exercise, Decisional Balance, and Exercise Participation.” The conference marked a milestone for Liu, who has been presenting and co-presenting at SHAPE America for 20 years, resulting in more than 50 research presentations and 50 research abstracts published.

Kovacs also presented faculty-student research, titled “Online Group Resistance Training Improves Beginners’ Muscular Fitness,” on behalf of his former students, Brady Sileo, a 2021 graduate with a degree in health and physical education, and Timothy Houk, a 2021 graduate with a degree in health and physical education.

Joanne Leight, professor of physical and health education and department chair, presented “Power Up, PETE: Teaching PETE Majors Techno-Tools for Success,” with Tonnie Craft, a senior health and physical education major from Coopersburg. Hannah Nurse, a senior health and physical education major from Dayton, Ohio, was also a co-author but did not attend.

Hannah Holl, associate professor of physical and health education, presented “School Wellness Education: Empowering Future Teachers.” Randy Nichols, professor of physical and health education, was a co-author but did not attend.

Craft and Julia Mascaro, a junior health and physical education major form Bethel Park, were recognized with SRU’s SHAPE America Major of the Year Awards for school wellness education and physical activity and fitness management, respectively.