School of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness

This School offers academic degrees in exercise physiology, nutrition, and athletic training and operates the Atrium Café. During the academic year 2022-2023, this School had 8.33 tenure-track faculty, 9.5 professors of instruction, 6 clinical faculty, and 1 classified staff member.  

Chad Starkey, PhD, AT, Professor and Director, School of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness  

Division Directors 

Athletic Training -Chad Starkey, PhD, AT  
Exercise Physiology -Sharon R. Perry, PhD, CSCS 
Food and Nutrition Sciences –Kimberlee Orben – MS, RD, LD  

Undergraduate Programs 

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology (BSPex) with three tracks: Exercise Physiology, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Athletic Training 
Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition Sciences (BSFNS) with two tracks: Nutrition and Applied Nutrition  

Graduate Programs 

Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)  
Master of Science in Physiology of Exercise (MSEP) Human Performance 
Master of Science in Physiology of Exercise (MSEP) Research  
Master of Science in Physiology of Exercise (MSEP) Clinical 
Master of Science in Food and Nutrition Sciences (MSFNS) 
Combined Master of Science in Food and Nutrition Sciences and Dietetic Internship (MSFNS) 
Online Master of Science in Food and Nutrition Sciences (MSFNS) 
Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT)  

Faculty (Tenure-Track and Clinical) 

Andrea Bender, EdD, Assistant Clinical Professor (AT) 
Robert G. Brannan, PhD, Professor (FNS) 
Josh Christen, MS, Assistant Clinical Professor (EXPH) 
Kristine Ensign, PhD, Associate Clinical Professor (AT) 
Roger Gilders PhD, Professor (early retiree) (EXPH) 
Laura Harris, PhD, Clinical Professor (AT) 
Angela Hillman, PhD, Assistant Professor (EXPH) 
Jana Hovland, PhD, RD, LD, Assistant Clinical Professor (FNS) 
Cheryl Howe, PhD, Associate Professor (EXPH) 
Kimberlee Orben, MS, RD, LD, Associate Clinical Professor (FNS) 
Sharon Perry, PhD, Associate Professor (EXPH) 
Jeffrey A. Russell, PhD, Associate Professor (AT)
Janet Simon, PhD, Associate Professor (AT) 
Chad Starkey, PhD, Professor (AT) 
Dhiraj Vattem, PhD, Professor (FNS) 
Christine Zachrich, MS, RD, LD, Associate Clinical Professor (FNS) 

Accreditation 

Applied Nutrition (BS) Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 2015-2023. 
Combined Master of Science and Dietetic Internship Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 2019-2027. 
Athletic Training (MS; professional accreditation) Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2012-2022 (site visit during 2021- 2022).