Tennessee Wesleyan College

Diane Klein & Stephanie Huskey

Associate Professor and Chairwoman of the Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences (ESS)

Since 2009

Background: Earned a doctorate degree in exercise and wellness education in 2000; served as an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, originally in Department of Health and Exercise Science and then in Exercise, Sport and Leisure Studies;  former owner of a geriatrics oriented consulting practice where she worked with several senior centers in 16 counties under East Tennessee Human Resource Agency and East Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability.

Fun fact: As a youngster and adolescent, Klein was a Girl Scout. As an adult, she became a Girl Scout Leader (and Cookie Mother), a Girl Scout Trainer and a Girl Scout Trainer of Trainers with expertise in camping and outdoors activities.

Instructor, Exercise and Sports Sciences Department

Since 2006

Background: Joined TWC in 2006 as an Enrollment Services Specialist and began her current position as an instructor in 2009; earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in sports psychology.

Fun fact: Huskey sponsors the Martial Arts Club at Tennessee Wesleyan. She has more than 22 years experience in martial arts and has operated a karate school in Athens, Tenn.

The field of exercise and sports sciences has grown from offering a career only in physical education to providing interested individuals with numerous, diverse career options. And the Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences (ESS) at Tennessee Wesleyan College is stepping up to prepare its students for careers that include physical education, physical therapists, fitness program management, wellness and many others.

"Exercise science, and its related disciplines, is not the 'basket weaving'-type curriculum that has made it the brunt of gibes and jokes. It is very real science, requiring precise measurement and understanding of human anatomy and physiology, even in physical education, and the ability to communicate well to others both orally and written," said Dr. Diane Klein, associate professor and chairwoman of the Tennessee Wesleyan Department of ESS.

Students at TWC who enter the ESS program have four emphasis areas from which to choose: exercise science, physical education (with or without licensure), sports and fitness management and pre-physical therapy. Since 2009, the department has modified and updated the curriculum that each ESS student must follow. The modifications were completed in an effort to guide students into courses that best prepared them for their chosen emphasis and career objectives.

The revised curriculum offers students multiple opportunities to gain hands-on experience through courses such as applied exercise physiology and administration and organization of sport and physical education. The program also offers an internship course that provides students with a real-life experience in their chosen field of study.

Students in the applied exercise physiology course plan, implement and evaluate a health fair that is hosted in the James L. Robb Gymnasium and open to the College's faculty and staff members. Klein hopes to involve students of the TWC-Fort Sanders Nursing Program and expand the health fair to a larger audience.

Administration and organization of sport and physical education, a course taught by Stephanie Huskey, instructor for the Department of ESS, requires students to plan, promote and host the college's annual Bulldog Classic 5K. At the May 2010 event, there were 67 participants and the students raised more than $2,000 for the department.

Additional courses allow students to gain experience by assisting physical education teachers at local elementary schools with field day activities and other events such as the Athens City School System's Wellness Day where students measure body composition, flexibility and aerobic heart rate and assist with other activities planned by the schools.

Also, the addition of a new capstone course, PE 460, benefits students seeking the American Council for Exercise's (ACE) personal trainer certification and makes Tennessee Wesleyan the first institution of higher education in East Tennessee to conduct this course and become an ACE partner program. The department plans to extend this program to professionals in the surrounding areas by offering weekend workshops that will prepare them for certification exams.

In spring 2011, the department plans to add a strength and conditioning course that will coincide with the care and prevention of athletic injuries, a course currently offered in the fall semester, and prepare students seeking the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certification.

Other changes taking place within the department and its curriculum include, the transition of classes to different time slots – courses taught in the morning hours will be offered in the afternoon and evening hours the next year and vice versa – to allow students, whose jobs have prevented completion of courses in a timely manner, to schedule these courses more easily; and updating, configuring and removing equipment in the exercise science lab to make the space more useful for students.

The department's faculty members include two full-time instructors – Klein and Huskey – and adjunct professors who teach courses on topics such as physical education activities, methods and curriculum, social dance, tumbling and coaching. The adjunct faculty also serve in the college's Athletics Department as coaches, trainers and directors or in the community as leaders in their respective careers.

"The coaches and adjunct faculty really make TWC's curriculum unique," said Huskey. "Specialized courses are taught by the adjunct faculty, most of whom are currently working and active in their respective fields. They are able to provide students with their hands-on knowledge and personal experiences of the subject, and are able to give students the latest information on changes in standards and laws related to the field. This is very important in today's culture where textbook information may be outdated before the book is published. Our adjunct faculty also teach students where to find the most reliable, current information once they begin their careers."

Klein came to Tennessee Wesleyan after serving as an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee in the Department of Exercise, Sport and Leisure Studies. She also worked as a geriatrics consultant for senior centers in 16 counties.

"[I came to Tennessee Wesleyan] because I wanted to teach, but not at a big university," said Klein. "I wanted to be able to get to know my students better – to be able to assist them in their future career development – and not just see them in the same two to four classes each year."

Having started her program of study in exercise and wellness education, Klein gained experience in the public health sector as a health educator and consultant. She then earned a doctorate degree in exercise wellness and education in 2000.

Klein believes that "much of what is taught can be supplemented by laboratory type activities, videos, research projects, presentations and discussions," and works to keep her students active and involved in each of her courses.

Huskey is a 2000 graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan where she earned her bachelor's degree in psychology. In 2006 she joined the college as an enrollment services specialist and went on to work in the Offices of Alumni and Development, all while working to complete a master's degree in sport psychology. She assumed her current position in January 2009. With her education and 22 years of martial arts training, Huskey offers students a strong background based on knowledge and experience in the field of exercise and sports sciences.

"The small-school environment at Tennessee Wesleyan allows us to offer specialized topics courses in various areas based on what our students need or are interested in learning about more," said Huskey. "For example, last year while working in the Athens City Schools, several of the students were talking to me about the sports management curriculum. As a result of that conversation, which wouldn't likely have occurred at a larger school, we are offering a topics class for sports management majors. I hope that our students know our professors are accessible and are here to help them succeed."

"The faculty of the college is what makes Tennessee Wesleyan's program stand out from those offered at other colleges and universities," said Klein. "We teach the same basic curriculum, but we have the ability to be more interactive with our students and work with them more closely to ensure their success. Our classes tend to be smaller, and with time, we will evolve into a more competitive area. At the big universities, the undergraduate programs are typically taught by the doctorate students, with the identified faculty members acting more in a team-teaching capacity, handling the upper level and graduate courses only. At Tennessee Wesleyan, all of our ESS classes are taught by experienced, highly qualified instructors."

As the department and the ESS curriculum evolve, the demand for courses continues to increase and Tennessee Wesleyan continues to produce well qualified and passionate graduates from its program.