Nicole Bernard

My name is Nicole Bernard and I graduated from California State University, Chico with my BA and teaching credentials in Physical Education and Adapted Physical Education.  I am currently running the Wednesday evening AVS program, which serves adults with severe and profound disabilities.  Throughout the Adapted Physical Activity Masters Program I have had several opportunities to volunteer and take on leadership roles in the programs that we offer here for individuals with disabilities.

Francisca Flores
 

I moved all the way from San Diego, CA to attend the Adapted Physical Activity MS program at Slippery Rock University because I wanted to learn how to make a difference in the field of disability health and the lives of individuals with disabilities.  My background includes a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Iowa, post-baccalaureate science work at UC San Diego, and research in the area of children with autism the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute and UC San Diego.  As a graduate assistant, I currently co-coordinate the I Can Do It, You Can Do It! (ICDI) community program and have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Arnhold to implement the ICDI curriculum into a translational research design in collaboration with faculty from UC Irvine and physicians from Orange and Los Angeles counties in California.  These projects and the course Health Promotion for Persons with Disabilities were the impetus for continuing my education in public health with a focus on disability health issues.  I have been accepted to the University of Pittsburgh, where I will complete a Master in Public Health degree.

Christian Garner

Hey! My name is Christian Garner and I am currently a Adapted Physical Activity mater's student. I got my bachelors here at Slippery Rock University in Exercise Science. The Adapted Physical Activity program has given me the opportunity to be hands on in a variety of programs that are run within the department. The program also allowed me to take on a more administrative role within the I Can Do It, You Can Do It mentoring program. Overall the Adapted Physical Activity program has made me a more well-round individual.

Jody Gulish

My name is Jody Gulish. I completed my undergraduate studies at Westminster College with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and Sociology.  Before beginning my master's study, I spent 27 years in the Human Service field, primarily working with individuals with disabilities and Geriatrics. I am currently coordinating the Pre-Vocational Training program at Storm Harbor Equestrian center. Upon graduation, I hope to teach others the importance of physical activity and health promotion in the aging population by working with undergraduates at the college level.

Sheena Hager

 My name is Sheena Hager and I am a graduate of Berea College (KY) with my BA in Physical Education. Through the Adapted Physical Activity Master's Program, I have been given the opportunity to serve as an In-House Coordinator for the National I Can Do It Program. I help oversee Kids in Action (for youth with autism) as well as Friday Morning Program (for adults with intellectual disabilities). This experience along with several volunteer opportunities has helped me to grow even more passionate about my work with individuals with various abilities!

Serena Hoke

Hi! My name is Serena Hoke and I am in the Adapted Physical Activity Masters Program. I received my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology in the concentrations of Adapted Physical Activity and in Outdoor Recreation Education from California State University of Monterey Bay. I am helping in organizing the End the R Word event that will take place on March 2nd. I also work with undergraduate students in the Tuesday and Thursday Night and Friday Morning Adapted Therapeutic Exercise Programs as an advisor for those who have little or no experience working with individuals with disabilities. After the completion of my Masters I hope to find a job in program directing and management in order to create more sport and exercise opportunities for individuals of all ages and all types of disabilities.

Nicholle Hollibaugh

Hello! I am Nicholle Hollibaugh and I am currently in the Adapted Physical Activity Graduate Program at Slippery Rock University. I recieved an undergrad in Elementary Education from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Post Bac certification in Health and Physical Education from Slippery Rock University.  My favorite thing about this APA grad program is the hands on learning experience gained outside of the classroom. Also, I feel that we learn information that directly applies to what we will be doing in our field of work.

Sheree Horvath

My name is Sheree Horvath and I am in the Slippery Rock University's Adapted Physical Activity Masters Program. I also graduated undergrad at SRU with a BS in Exercise Science and the Adapted Physical Activity Minor.  I have been able to work at the VIP Sports Camp at SRU for the past two years and have found that it is one of my passions to work with kids who are visually impaired/blind.  Teaching this population different sports and working with them one-on-one has shown me that there are no limits to what those with visual impairments/blindness can do and that they can show you how the world is viewed through their perspective.

David Huff

Hi my name is David Huff and I am from New Castle, PA.  I am currently in the Adapted Physical Activity program here at Slippery Rock University, where I also received my undergraduate degree in Community Programming for Americans with Disabilities.  The APA program has provided me with many opportunities to work with individuals with disabilities of all ability levels through a wide variety of programs, leadership experiences, and recreational activities.  I feel that the program has given me many positive experiences that will continue to influence and prepare me for my professional career.  

Rachel Kennedy

Hi there! My name is Rachael Kennedy and I am in the Adapted Physical Activity Masters program at SRU. I am a transfer graduate from SUNY Cortland in NY for Physical Education and went straight into grad school. Everyone knows me here as Rae, and I'm generally known by my face painting art. I am the Graduate Assistant for the Grove City High School and Headstart Adapted Physical Education through SRU. I also am a volunteer coach for Special Olympics Equestrian team through our campus. I really enjoy teaching and have had much hands on experience with people of various ages and disabilities in the different programs here on campus. 

Angela Long

My name is Angela Long and I am in the Adapted Physical Activity Masters Program at Slippery Rock University. I received my bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Along with volunteering for various programs on campus, I organize the annual 5k Rock, Roll, and Stroll here at SRU. I also co-coordinate the new Teen Recreation program designed for giving adolescents an opportunity to be involved in socialization and physical activity with peers their age.

Jodie Shingledecker

My name is Jodie Shingledecker, and I am from Franklin, PA.  After 10 years of working as a pharmaceutical rep, I decided I needed a more fulfilling career.  APA is the perfect fit because I have the opportunity to work with people and “give back” to the community.   APA is everything I am looking for.  Being a wife and mother of two, I’ve learned it is never too late to follow your dreams!  Currently, I help coordinate VIP Sports.  This is a program providing competitive sport and recreation opportunities for youth who are visually impaired or blind. 

Geoffrey Snyder

Hello there. My name is Geoffrey Snyder and I am currently enrolled in the Adapted Physical Activity Master's Program at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. I received my bachelors degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in Health and Physical Education in a dual concentration of Sport and Recreation Administration. I enjoy the experience and knowledge that I am gaining in the program of Adapted Physical Activity.

Jesse Soloman

My name is Jesse Solomon and I earned my Special Education and Elementary Education degrees here at Slippery Rock University.  I decided to return to SRU for the Adapted Physical Activity Graduate program because I wanted to be able to teach both body and mind together, to individuals of all ages and ability levels.  I have not only gotten the opportunity to pioneer and promote a new, exciting and emerging field that focuses on the health status of persons with disabilities but I have gotten the chance to take mentoring and leadership roles in many of our programs such as the I Can Do It, You Can Do program, the Special Olympics, VIP Visual impairment sports, Wednesday night AVS and the Teen Recreation program where we create experiences that support recreation, physical fitness and sport opportunities to provide healthy, active and meaningful lives to all individuals with disabilities.  This program has opened so many more doors for me as an educator that I have the privilege to collaborate with other APA professionals to create an inclusive summer day camp here on campus for adolescents with autism (CAMP R.O.C.K.-Recreational Opportunities Connecting Kids)    

Aimee Twaddle

Co-coordinating the Kids in Action after school program that is designed for children with autism, related disorders, and their siblings has created many leadership opportunities for me to pursue a career teaching Adapted Physical Education.  I have also gained experience and confidence to challenge myself to explore new opportunities in Adapted Physical Activity by completing my internship at a special needs camp this summer in Colorado.   

Jason Ussack

Hi, I’m Jason Ussack from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.  I did my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.   I started the Adapted Physical Activity program at Slippery Rock University in the fall of 2010.  The teaching staff and class cohort has been very supportive and has been encouraging to me.   I really enjoy the hands on experience I receive in this program.  I would highly recommend this program for students interested in working with and planning physical activities for persons with all kinds of disabilities.         

Haley Van Lieshout

Andrea Vasil

My name is Andrea Vasil and I am a student in the Adapted Physical Activity Masters program at Slippery Rock University. I received my Bachelor's degree in Professional Studies with a minor in Adapted Physical Activity at SRU as well. As part of my job in the APA program, I help run the Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity classes as well as the Adapted Aquatics class. I am also in charge of a brand new Teen Recreation program for adolescents with and without disabilities. I have been a part of every program we offer for individuals with disabilities, such as VIP, KIA, ICDI, and Special Olympics, and those experiences have allowed me to realize my passion for working with individuals of all ages and ability levels.