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A record of success for the Arnold School
June 21, 2011
Dr. Michael Beets named AAHPERD Fellow
Dr. Michael W. Beets of the Arnold School has been named a Fellow of The Research Consortium of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).
Approximately 375 Fellows are in the AAHPERD's consortium, which comprises more than 5,000 research scholars and other members who have a strong research interest. Fellows in the consortium demonstrate an ongoing commitment to research and to a high level of achievement in their field, said Gayle Claman, director of The Research Consortium.
Beets, who joined the Arnold School's faculty in 2008, is an assistant professor in the Department of Exercise Science, where he also serves as Graduate Division Chair, Division of Health Aspects of Physical Activity (HAPA). His research interests include the promotion of youth physical activity and dietary behaviors. Beets was recognized and introduced at the 32nd annual C.H. McCloy Research Lecture and Breakfast at the AAHPERD National Convention in San Diego, Calif.
Alumnus named Liberty Fellow
Arnold School alumnus Forrest Alton of Columbia is in the newest class of Liberty Fellowship recipients.
Alton, the 2011 recipient of the Gerry Sue Arnold Medal, is one of the 23 Fellows selected from 300 nominations. He is the CEO of the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and leads a nationally recognized team of more than 35 people investing in South Carolina's most valuable resource – young people.
Alton is recognized as a state and national leader on the issue of adolescent sexual health and has authored or co-authored numerous articles and publications on teen pregnancy prevention and related issues. He serves on the boards of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and the S.C. Association of Non-Profit Organizations. He is a graduate of the Riley Diversity Leadership Institute and serves as a "big brother" in BBBS of Greater Columbia.
Alton earned his master's of public health degree from the Arnold School. He received his bachelor's degree from Coastal Carolina University where he also has been named a Distinguished Alumnus.
The Fellows cross a broad spectrum of careers, expertise and personal passions. "Our eighth class is enormously impressive, reminding us of the quality of leadership we have percolating in South Carolina," said Hayne Hipp, Liberty Fellowship founder. "While they span a wide range of thought and diversity of perspectives, these Fellows share a desire to take action to make South Carolina better."
April Heyward on NCURA committee
April Heyward, the post-award services coordinator for the Arnold School's Office of Research, has been appointed the NCURA Campus Liaison for USC. She will serve as the liaison between USC and NCURA (National Council of University Research Administrators), an organization of individuals involved in the administration of sponsored programs at colleges, universities, and teaching hospitals. NCURA comprises representatives from the United States, including U.S. Territories. It also has members from Australia, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and Malawi. For more information on NCURA, visit www.ncura.edu.
HPEB ends academic year with honors
Megan Weis, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, is among the first group of individuals nationally to receive the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) certification.
The MCHES certification indicates an individual has met academic eligibility in health education and is practicing at the advanced level in the field, passed a written examination administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Inc., and has an ongoing commitment to continuing education.
Dr. Deborah Billings was invited by Argentina's Ministry of Health (National Program of Sexual Health) to present her work on the provision of services to survivors of sexual violence in Latin American health systems at the International Seminar, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Human Rights and Gender Perspectives:
Advances and Challenges in Buenos Aires. She also met with Ministry of Health personnel from the provinces to discuss strategies for incorporating and evaluating services for sexual violence survivors in hospitals and clinics. Billings has been invited to be an affiliate of the Latin American Studies Program on campus.
Dr. Mindi Spencer has been awarded a Teaching Excellence Grant on Service-Learning from the Office of Student Engagement and the Center for Teaching Excellence. The aim of this project is to encourage the integration of service-learning strategies into curricula with a goal of achieving discipline specific outcomes.
Alexis Koskan is the recipient of the 2011 Emily Thompson Award in Women's and Gender Studies for her dissertation paper, "Program Planners' Conceptualization of Sustainability for Promotora-led Health Outreach with Women and Families: A Qualitative Analysis." Co-authors are Drs. Daniela Friedman, DeAnne Messias, Heather Brandt and Katrina Walsemann.
Caroline Bergeron was nominated for Canada's prestigious Governor General's Academic Gold Medal by the Department of Communication at the University of Montreal where she earned a master's degree. This award was created in 1873 to recognize academic excellence and achievement.
Greg Dominick and Elizabeth Fore have been selected for faculty positions. Dominick will be an assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition at the University of Delaware this fall; Fore has accepted an assistant professor position in health sciences at Idaho State University.
