ROUND FOUR: EDD IN KIN ONLINE PROGRAM GETS HIGH PRAISE FOR YET ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ORIENTATION
“I enjoyed how it was planned out. It provided a great opportunity to meet and get to know our cohort and more about the University, faculty, staff, and other students. Leaving the campus I felt comfortable and excited at what lies ahead!”
It has now become a tradition, every June around 20 students from across the country leave their families and jobs to embark on a giant step in their lives. This pursuit to obtain higher education in the midst of career and family is a brave one and UNCG faculty and staff are committed to their support.
In June, our newest 2017 cohort joined us on campus for three days. They were greeted by a panel of distinguished guest, faculty, and alumni and some very delicious food. The orientation culminated with a day at Piney Lake where students participated in team building exercises.
The orientation addressed important issues such as the use of technology, the challenges of balancing education along with career and family obligations, best practices and helpful hints, along with how to successfully and adequately navigate online courses. The new cohort was very satisfied with their experiences during the orientation at UNCG and excited about classes this fall. Here are some of the things they had to say:
“I enjoyed how it was planned out. It provided a great opportunity to meet and get to know our cohort and more about the University, faculty, staff, and other students. Leaving the campus I felt comfortable and excited at what lies ahead!”
“Was completely amazed how we all came in as individuals but by the time we left, we were a team. Great job!!”
“Overall, it was a great experience and helped me get to know everyone and become more relaxed about starting the program.”
Applications for the fall 2018 academic year are now being accepted. Our review of applications for admissions will begin mid-January of 2018. For more information on the program, click here https://kin.uncg.edu/academic-programs/edd-online/ or contact us at eddkin@uncg.edu.
BRIAN CONE TAKES 2ND PLACE IN THE 3MT COMPETITION!
On November 9, 2017 ten doctoral students selected as finalists from across the university, ranging from nanoscience to education, were challenged to present their thesis in just three minutes. The 3MT Competition founded by Queensland University has now been adopted by over 600 schools in over 63 countries. With an average PhD thesis consisting of 80,000 words presenting your thesis in three minutes can be a quite a challenge but in order to bridge academic research to practical application this can prove to be an invaluable skill.
As stated on the official 3MT website “Presenting in [this] competition increases [a student’s] capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.” Kinesiology’s own, Brian Cone, 2nd place winner of the university-wide competition, did a great job in succeeding at this mission in his presentation of “Where Fall Prevention Went Wrong.” In just three minutes Brian presented a compelling argument for the importance of assessment that will help identify individuals who are at risk for falling.
With one fall per second of every day occurring in the United States Brian’s research on looking at the feasibility of using mathematical calculations that can be performed on a smartphone app can have a large scale impact; especially in conjunction with research established by Kinesiology’s VEAR Lab which has shown that exposing individuals to being tripped eventually helps the individual to trip less. Brian’s thesis on an easily administered assessment to identify individuals that are at most risk emphasizes the bridge between academic research to practical application. Way to go Brian!
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES COLLOQUIUM SEES RECORD ATTENDANCE
On November 9, 2018, KIN professors emeriti—Dick Swanson, Jo Safrit, and Kate Barrett—presented during our “Historical Perspectives on Kinesiology: UNCG and Beyond” colloquium to over 100 of our current students and faculty. This colloquium, which focuses on the personal experiences of these pioneers in our field, is a tradition for the department and was moderated by Diane Gill this year. This was a standing-room-only event, as students and faculty filled up the seats. Our three distinguished guests had quite an impact on our students, who were often laughing and smiling through most of the event. Second-year Applied Neuromechanics doctoral student, Mackenzie Pierson, shared her experience: “Listening to leaders in our field, especially such strong women, discuss obstacles and passions was inspiring. Recognizing the role that UNCG played within their journey of success made me more thankful for the opportunity to continue my education here at UNCG.”
Thanks to all who made this event happen—from our venerable speakers to our extraordinary students.
This entry was posted in Colloquium, EdD, Events, News. Bookmark the permalink.
TED MONNICH: COACH, CURATOR, CONSULTANT AND HIS PURSUIT OF A DOCTORATE
Ted Monnich, is not your typical student. For one, he brings a wealth of experience with him—ranging from art curator, to music lecturer, to being a renowned expert in elite performance, particularly with hockey goalies. He claims to have always been a passionate person, which would explain why, in the first two weeks of school, he went from doing a music lecture in Pittsburg, to presenting on Flow State at Burning Man in Nevada. I was curious why someone regarded as an expert in so many fields would want to return to school?
Ted came into the EdD program as a sport psychology consultant working with ice hockey players, and almost exclusively with goalies. In fact, he was an ice hockey goalie coach for almost 20 years. He himself is a retired professional ice hockey goalie, though he humbly adds that he only played in the minors (the beer leagues is how he humorously refers to it). “ I wanted to transition from coaching to sport psychology. I found the program at UNCG, where I earned a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology in the kinesiology program.”
The not-so-straightforward path of a Renaissance Man
Prior to coaching hockey, Ted could be considered somewhat of a renaissance man. As he put it, “I live by the words of Joseph Campbell ‘Follow your bliss.’” I am a very passion-driven person, sometimes good, sometimes, well…. “
When Ted was very young, he landed an internship with a blacksmith. His early work as an artist/blacksmith sculptor led him to museum conservation work. His work has been exhibited in galleries, universities and museums around the country. “I’m not active with this at this time because Dr. Gill assigns so much reading,” Ted says with a laugh.
For over 35 years, Ted has restored art for several well-known museums including The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, The South Carolina State Museum, The Biltmore Estate, Brookgreen Gardens, among many others. Although he has transitioned from this work to coaching and sport psychology, he still takes care of the world-class collection of sculptures at Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina. “I am in my 25th year there, and will probably always maintain an active connection to that institution for sentimental reasons.”
In addition to art conservator, he is also a founding member of the world music group TURKU: Nomads of the Silk Road. The group has released four albums, two concert videos, and has toured the world. Ted had studied the music of Turkey, Iran, and other countries in the region for 20 years and even lived Turkey while coaching hockey. “I now study and teach early music, 13th-14th centuries, of the Timurid, Seljuk, and Ottoman empires. I also harbor a secret life as a DJ at Balkan dance parties.”
Returning to a former passion
Ice hockey was not a passion developed later in life. In fact, Ted started playing ice hockey at 10 years old in Pittsburgh, PA. He played successfully through high school but states, “After high school, my passion for blacksmithing took over.” It was not until years later that Ted returned to ice hockey recreationally as an adult, and “ that old passion,” he states, “ returned in a big way.”
His motto in the “beer leagues’ was, “I just don’t wanna suck.” He says he “took it to the extreme in studying my position, working with trainers, etcetera, until I caught the eye of the AA minor pro team in Columbia, SC—the Columbia Inferno.” They brought him on as a practice goalie, and eventually as a team member for three seasons. He transitioned to assistant coach and video coach. Coaching led him to Sports Psychology, which led him to pursue a master’s degree at UNCG. At this point he had a private practice in art restoration and played music in TURKU. “Yes, those were all odd bedfellows,” he admits, but onward he continues.
The juggling act
Ted did not stop once he completed his master’s in Sports Psychology he, as is his nature, wanted to take it to the next level and pursue a doctorate. Upon the recommendation of his advisor, Dr. Diane Gill, he applied for the EdD in KIN Online Doctorate Program. He began this past fall and is in the process of figuring out how to balance school with all of his other passions.
“It’s a juggling act,” he states with a matter-of-factness, “this semester started earlier than usual, and caught me in a professional schedule of teaching music at a festival in Pittsburgh, then lecturing and coaching at a camp at Pennsylvania State University, and then traveling to the Burning Man festival to present on my proposed dissertation topic. So, I’m still playing catch-up, and looking for a happy medium for school, career, AND family life. I remind myself, as I learned in pro hockey, ‘it’s only work.’”
Finding his flow at Burning Man
To quote Wikipedia, “Burning Man is an annual gathering that takes place at Black Rock City—a temporary city erected in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. The event is described as an experiment in community and art, influenced by 10 main principles: ‘radical’ inclusion, self-reliance, self-expression, community cooperation, civic responsibility, gifting, decommodification, participation, immediacy, and leaving no trace.”
Ted and his wife have attended The Burning Man Festival four times between 2009 and 2013. In the past, they have always attended for the art and Ted would contribute through musical performances. This year, he was invited to present on his interest in flow state and peak performance. “It’s a hot topic and there is a definite interest in that very progressively thinking community of 70,000 attendees.”
Ted led two discussion groups on flow state and peak performance at the “Creation Nation BRC!” theme camp. He was also able to attended a presentation by Stealing Fire coauthor, Jamie Wheal, whose book is about flow state. Even cooler, Ted discovered an interactive sculpture by artists from Mexico City that utilizes measurements of heart rate variability in volunteers to operate the sculpture. Ted was even asked to give a presentation to students of the KIN 712 Sport and Exercise Psychology class, which you access by clicking here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
A one-of-a-kind program
Not all program directors would be ok with their students going missing for a whole week during the first month of class, but director Dr. Brown was all for it. he could have dismissed this festival, but she recognized it as a once-in-a-lifetime professional growth opportunity. And after all, the work would still be there when he returned.
“Being a member of a doctoral program confers a degree of academic legitimacy—that opens doors,” Ted explains. “I respect and appreciate that greatly as I pursue my dissertation and dialogue with other scholars. But perhaps more importantly, the EdD program allows you to pursue practical experiences while remaining in school, and connecting course content to the workplace is not only encouraged, it’s expected.This entry was posted in EdD, News, Profile. Bookmark the permalink.
THREE HURRICANES, ONE FAMILY: EDD IN KIN STUDENTS WEATHER THE STORMS TOGETHER
On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast where it remained for four days. Houston received more rain in those four days than it does in a single year. Catastrophes like this call into question the responsibility a university to help its students in an online program. Typically catastrophes like this only raise concerns for a student that may have family in the affected areas. However, in the case of the EdD in KIN online program, the concern was whether or not 7 of their students were directly in harms way. Reaching out to everyone to make sure they were safe was top priority. Luckily only one student had to be evacuated by boat, but fortunately she was safe and suffered minimal damage to her home. However, this was just the first of three hurricanes to impact our EdD family.
On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall in Puerto Rico. With waves reaching 33 feet and wind speeds of 111 mph recorded, Mairym Villalobos and her two young daughters braced themselves. Mairym is a first year student in the EdD in KIN program and had just attended UNCG orientation with 21 other students this past June. Since she is also a professor at the University of Puerto Rico, she had worked with fellow colleagues preparing the Rio Piedras Campus for the impending storm. She had been warned by the government that, due to the precarious and fragile state of the electrical system, it could be weeks or months before power, internet, and water was restored on the island.
The destruction was widespread, but Mairym and her girls were safe. Sadly, the next communication from Mairym advised that another storm was approaching. Hurricane Maria, a category 5, was projected to cross the island on September 24. Without hesitation, she purchased three tickets to New York City, where she could stay with her sister. The plane was scheduled to depart that Saturday, September 23, 2017, but all flights were cancelled before she could leave.
Hurricane Maria devastated the island. As Chandrika Narayan, a CNN reporter, described it, “Hurricane Maria whipped Puerto Rico with Irma-level winds, drenched the island with Harvey-level flooding, crippled communications, [and] decimated buildings.” Millions were left without power and unable to communicate. Aid was coming in but not fast enough. Efforts to clean up and rebuild remain slow due to Puerto Rico’s existing financial crisis. “The hardest part was having to wait in line for food, water and gas,” recalls Mairym. While power was slowly returning to some residents, her university was closed until further notice.
On September 27, news was released that Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, was using his private jet to send aid down to Puerto Rico. This caught the eye of Dr. Brown who sent a text to student Casey Smith, head athletic trainer for the Dallas Mavericks, joking about whether he could get Mairym onto the plane. Casey, also a first year student in the EdD in KIN program, turned this request into reality. He immediately sent his request to player Jose Barea, who was heading up the relief efforts, and secured a spot for Mairym and her two daughters.
On Friday, September 29, Mairym Villalobos and her two daughters finally touched down in Dallas, Texas thanks to the generosity and the efforts of so many. Once in Dallas, Mairym and her girls were invited to stay a few days with Casey and his family until she was able to purchase tickets to New York.
Mariym and her girls are now out of harm’s way thanks to the efforts and prayers of her classmates. Her unforgettable journey made the impact of these hurricanes so much more meaningful to the students and faculty in the EdD in KIN program. “The efforts of all involved in getting Mairym to safety really just show that the students and faculty in our program are like family. This cohort is very caring and seems to have bonded quickly,” notes Dr. Brown, “This is UNCG – our commitment to our students remains the same.” Online or not this program is a family.
To learn more about this “family,” you can visit the EdD in KIN webpage. Information about applying to earn your interdisciplinary, professional doctorate online in kinesiology is available on the website.
Carine's Portfolio 