Faculty and Staff (A - K)

Faculty and staff in the Department of Physical and Health Education at SRU have experience as physical educators, health educators, coaches, fitness trainers, athletes, and fitness buffs. Combining both personal and professional expertise in physical and health education means that faculty and staff provide students with the knowledge of best academic and practical applications.

Dr. Wei Bian

Office: 125 Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.2859
Email: wei.bian@sru.edu

Dr. Wei (Willa) Bian serves as an associate professor in the Department of Physical and Health Education. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education and sport training from Beijing Sport University. She receive a second master's degree in physical education with a focus on teaching/coaching and sport psychology from the University of Northern Iowa before receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Georgia with a concentration in sports pedagogy and a minor in instructional technology. Bian also played on one of the top national volleyball teams in China.

Dr. Gary Clark

Office: Pool
Phone: 724.738.4367
Email: gary.clark@sru.edu

Dr. Gary Clark is an associate professor in the Department of Physical and Health Education at SRU. He earned a Ph.D. in developmental movement from the University of Pittsburgh where his research focus was on the effect of physical activity on cognitive function in children. He received his master of science degree in physical education from Western Kentucky University and his bachelor's of science degree in recreation from Lock Haven University, where he was a starter on the football team and received Ross E. Nevel award, and being honored with the Outstanding Internship Award. Before coming to SRU he taught physical education major courses at several other institutions including Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh. Clark has coached a variety of levels in sports including football, track and field, swimming, basketball, baseball, and wrestling. He promotes physical activity for everyone and is involved in programs for children with special needs including programs at the University of Pittsburgh, the IUP Special Needs Activity Program, Special Olympics, and through serving as a master-level counselor in a sport-based program focused on behavior modification in children.

Mrs. Wendy Fagan

Office: 128 A Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.2791
Email: wendy.fagan@sru.edu

Wendy Fagan serves as an instructor in the adapted physical activity program at SRU. She is the director of Envision Blind Sports, a non-profit whose mission is to increase sport and physical activity for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her master's degree from Texas Women's University. Her research interests include disability sport, inclusion for children with disabilities in public schools, programs for athletes who are blind or visually impaired, and the Special Olympics.

Dr. Hannah Holl

Office: 116 Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.2761
Email: hannah.holl@sru.edu

Dr. Hannah Holl is an Associate Professor in the Physical and Health Education Department. She earned her Bachelor's of Science in Health and Physical Education from Lock Haven University and her Master of Education in Health and Physical Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She received her Doctorate in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Dr. Holl has worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Health on several grants to help create a healthier society through schools. Her research interests include increasing physical activity and student wellbeing in schools and reducing childhood obesity throughout Pennsylvania. She also works collaboratively with local school districts to help them implement the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model (WSCC).

Dr. Ethan Hull

Office: 110C Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.4208
Email: ethan.hull@sru.edu

Dr. Ethan Hull serves as an associate professor in the Physical and Health Education Department. He received his B.S. in Engineering at University of Pittsburgh and his M.Ed. in Secondary Education at East Stroudsburg University. Hull became a certified health and physical specialist (HSF) and received his Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh in exercise physiology with his emphasis on the physical activity patterns of children and parents. Prior to joining the faculty at SRU, Dr. Hull completed a postdoctoral position at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh where he studied health behavior change in parents, elementary children, and adolescents. His current research focus examines physical activity patterns in new parents and their motivation toward a healthier lifestyle.

Dr. Dallas Jackson

Office: 126 Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.4251
Email: dallas.jackson@sru.edu

Dallas J. Jackson is an associate professor in the Department of Physical and Health Education at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania where he prepares future educators and specialists in the area of adapted physical activity at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Dr. Jackson has been highly active in serving Slippery Rock University within numerous organizations and on numerous committees that focus on creating and sustaining an inclusive campus community. He has served as Co-chair of the President’s Commission for Disability Issues, and has served as a member on the SRU Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Planning Committee, as well as, SRU Strategic Planning Steering Committee. He also served as SRU Black Faculty and Staff Association President from 2014-2016.

Dr. Jackson was a recipient of Talk Magazine’s Minority Achiever’s Award in 2013 and the Pennsylvania Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (PSAHPERD) Adapted Physical Education (APE) Teacher of the Year in 2018. He was also recognized as the 2021 William A. Hillman Distinguished Service Award recipient, which recognizes individuals who have shown exemplary service and contribution to the field of adapted physical education or activity by the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPEID). He has also had numerous contributions and accomplishments within his professional community by serving as a commissioner on the Physical Activity Council for SHAPE America and as NCPEID president from 2018-2020.

Dr. Jackson is the physical and health education department coordinator for the undergraduate minor in Adapted Physical Activity, and is the faculty advisor for the Adapted Physical Activity Council, a student-led organization that provides students with opportunities to learn and demonstrate skills associated with professionalism, advocacy and leadership. Dr. Jackson serves as the physical and health education department’s graduate coordinator.

His research interests include influencing health and wellness of individuals with disabling health conditions through increasing physical activity participation. His professional career began as an adapted physical educator for Denton Independent School District in Texas. Dr. Jackson holds a PhD from Texas Woman’s University in kinesiology with an emphasis in adapted physical activity, and is a certified adapted physical educator (CAPE). Dr. Jackson is a continuous advocate for diversity and inclusion and is proud to be a positive influence on his students in that area.

Dr. Istvan Kovacs

Office: 110D Morrow Field House
Phone: 724.738.4934
Email: istvan.kovacs@sru.edu

Dr. Istvan Kovacs is an assistant professor and has been teaching sport performance and physical activity classes at SRU since 2003. Before joining SRU, Dr. Kovacs spent two years teaching PE at Jozsef Attila High School and ten years teaching and coaching track and field at his alma mater, the Hungarian University of Physical Education. He received his bachelor's degree in physical education and coaching, and earned his master's degree in education. He received his Ph.D. in biomechanics from Eotvos University Budapest. Dr. Kovacs serves as a coordinator of program accreditations for the PHE Department. His research area includes biomechanics and sport performance training, where he successfully mentored SRU students in student/faculty collaborative research. As an athlete, Dr. Kovacs was a triple jumper, held national age-group records, and competed for the Hungarian National Track Team. In his free time, Dr. Kovacs attends practices of the Slippery Rock Table Tennis Club or enjoys long distance bicycle rides or body-weight strength training.

Physical and Health Education

Faculty and Staff (A - K)

Physical and Health Education

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