Department of Health and Human Performance News
Regional Athletic Training Symposium Connects Students with Real-World Skills
A recent symposium at ETAMU offered students real-world exposure in rodeo sports medicine, collegiate athletic training pathways and emergency action planning.
Omegas, ETAMU Staff Team Up to Provide Thanksgiving Meals to Students
Omega's and ETAMU staff turned a quiet holiday on campus into a celebration of care and community.
Alumnus Earns 500th Career Win as Texas High School Basketball Coach
East Texas A&M University alumnus Hosea D. Lee, a 1993 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and applied anatomy, has reached a major milestone in his coaching career. Lee earned his 500th win on Nov.
A&M System Leaders Experience ETAMU’s Expanding Research Impact
East Texas A&M hosted the Texas A&M System’s Chief Research Officers fall meeting, highlighting groundbreaking research in gamebird conservation, cancer treatment, agriculture, astronomy, and human performance.
ETAMU Researchers Advance Athlete and Tactical Readiness at ROARHP Lab
The Department of Health and Human Performance at East Texas A&M is home to one of the most versatile and innovative facilities in the region: the ROARHP Lab.
East Texas A&M Student Gains Valuable Experience with WNBA’s Dallas Wings
Ruby Blaylock, a junior majoring in sport and recreation management with a minor in general business, spent her summer interning with the WNBA’s Dallas Wings.
Why U.S. Police Training Is Under Fire—And How East Texas A&M’s Evidence-Based Academy Sets a New Standard
As questions grow around recruit deaths in the U.S., East Texas A&M is showing how evidence-based training can build strong law enforcement officers without breaking them.
ETAMU Researchers Go Abroad to Tackle Global Sport Performance
Students and faculty from East Texas A&M University recently returned from a study abroad and research trip to Spain and Portugal, where they established international partnerships in the field of sport science and performance analytics.
Building Healthier Communities: Inside East Texas A&M’s Master of Public Health Program
In an immensely informative interview, Dr. Elizabeth Wachira explains how the East Texas A&M MPH program turns a passion for public service into a fulfilling career.
ETAMU Faculty to Keynote Fire Leadership Challenge 2025
Dr. Brandy Runyan and Hussien Jabai have been invited to serve as keynote speakers at the Fire Leadership Challenge 2025.
Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Scores Big For Special Olympics
On May 1, East Texas A&M University held the Roll 'n' Shoot 3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Tournament.
Alum, Former Coach Tabbed to Lead West Virginia Men’s Basketball Program
Lion alum and former assistant basketball coach Ross Hodge was recently announced as the new head coach of the West Virginia University Men's Basketball team.
ETAMU Alum Awarded PE Teacher of the Year
Alum Kevin Nguyen was awarded 2024 High School PE Teacher of the Year by TAHPERD.
Public Health Showcase Comes to East Texas A&M
On March 21, East Texas A&M Health and Human Performance students hosted the fourth annual Public Health Showcase at the university’s Dallas site.
Newsome named to CSC Academic All-District Team
East Texas A&M University women's basketball guard Jordyn Newsome was named to the Academic All-District team, as selected by the College Sports Communicators.
Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Sign-ups Open Now
East Texas A&M University will host the Roll ‘n’ Shoot 3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Tournament on May 1 at 5 p.m. at the Nursing and Health Services Building gym, room 175.
Undergraduate Nutrition Program Earns Accreditation Candidacy
The Department of Health and Human Performance at East Texas A&M University recently announced that its Bachelor of Science in Nutrition degree program was granted candidacy status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Department of Health and Human Performance Shines at Annual Industry Conference
Faculty and students from the department received awards and presented workshops at the premier industry conference.
A&M-Commerce Introduces Bachelor’s with Strength and Conditioning Emphasis to Train Future Athletic Performance Coaches
The bachelor's in strength and conditioning will provide a comprehensive curriculum combined with theoretical knowledge and practical applications.
A&M-Commerce Instructor Self-Publishes Four Sport-Related Books
A&M-Commerce alum and instructor Brandy Runyan has self-published four titles this summer aimed at various groups in professional sports.
“Understanding the Role of Agents and Navigating Legal Aspects of Contracts and Endorsements” equips aspiring agents, seasoned professionals and clients with…
TAMUC Health and Human Performance Researchers Helping Build Resilience in First Responders
Faculty researchers in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Texas A&M-Commerce are at the forefront of improving physical fitness preparation and performance for first responder populations.
Instructor Hussien Jabai and Associate Professor Dean Culpepper recently penned an article…
TAMUC Alum, Instructor’s Agency Named a Top Dallas Firm in 2024
Texas A&M-Commerce alum and instructor Brandy Runyan's public relations firm, Black Diamond PR and Sport Management Firm, is one of the top PR firms in Dallas for 2024, according to PRNEWS.IO.
The site also published an interview with Runyan, discussing…
Showcasing Scholarship: Highlights from TAMUC’s Annual Research Symposium
TAMUC students present innovative research projects to the university community and industry leaders.
Texas A&M University-Commerce hosted its Annual Research Symposium on April 17, 2024, at the university's Rayburn Student Center. The symposium showcased undergraduate and graduate research projects, providing…
Third Annual Health Fair at A&M-Commerce a Big Success
Texas A&M University-Commerce public health students—in conjunction with Exercise is Medicine® On Campus, Student Health Services and the Department of Nursing—recently hosted the third annual Health Fair on campus.
A&M-Commerce students, faculty and staff joined forces to present the third…
Community Food Drive Benefits A&M-Commerce Lion Food Pantry
A&M-Commerce student and Master of Public Health intern Alyssa Brimer, along with Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance Dr. Katharine Halfacre, recently coordinated a food drive benefiting the Lion Food Pantry on campus.
A&M-Commerce faculty, staff, student volunteers and…
A&M-Commerce Kinesiology Student Discovers Career Focus as a Champion for Accessibility in Sports
Standing courtside at a recent unified basketball event hosted at Texas A&M University-Commerce, kinesiology student Katelyn Frisbie's eyes light up as she cheers for both special education and general education students participating in the event. As an aspiring adapted physical…
A&M-Commerce Earns Third Consecutive Silver Distinction for Campus Wellness Efforts
Texas A&M-Commerce is one of only 145 universities and colleges worldwide recognized by Exercise is Medicine for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.
The Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIM-OC) leadership team at A&M-Commerce—including Dr. Vipa…
TAMUC Health and Human Performance Students Present at Regional Conference
Twelve students and three faculty from the Department of Health and Human Performance at A&M-Commerce attended and presented at the annual conference for the Texas chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine in Waco, Texas, Feb. 22-23.
(A&M-Commerce faculty…
Health and Human Performance Students Present at Social Change Conference
A&M-Commerce students from the Department of Health and Human Performance, guided by Assistant Professor Katharine Halfacre, presented an educational session titled “Roundtable: Perspectives on Women's Health and Nutrition” at the Social Change Conference held on campus Feb. 20.
A&M-Commerce Health…
A&M-Commerce Alum, Instructor Spearheads Changes to CFL Collective Bargaining Agreement
A&M-Commerce alum and instructor Brandy Runyan recently celebrated the culmination of a two-year effort to battle fraudulent practices targeting free agents in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Runyan, founder of Black Diamond PR & Sport Management Firm in Dallas, championed…
A&M-Commerce Students Gain Skills for Healthy, Affordable Cooking
The Department of Health and Human Performance at A&M-Commerce, in conjunction with the Lions Coalition for Accessible Needs, recently hosted a seminar on healthy meal preparation in the testing kitchen within the Nursing and Health Sciences building on campus.
More…
A&M-Commerce Hosts Special Education Mini Field Day for Commerce ISD
Students of all abilities from Commerce ISD (CISD) and A&M-Commerce joined forces to facilitate a day of activities for students with disabilities on Friday, Sept. 29.
In total, more than 50 CISD students attended with several teachers and staff members.…
A&M-Commerce Faculty and Students Conduct Elite Athlete Research Abroad
A team of A&M-Commerce researchers recently partnered with USA Track & Field to conduct research at the 2023 Thorpe Cup competition in Germany. The trip was sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Performance, the College of Education and…
A&M-Commerce Wellness Efforts Earn Second Consecutive Silver Distinction
For the second year in a row, A&M-Commerce has earned a silver distinction from the Exercise is Medicine organization for efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. Of the 149 universities and colleges honored by the organization worldwide,…
A&M-Commerce Conducts Elite Performance Research at Dallas Track and Field Event
The Department of Health and Human Performance at A&M-Commerce recently conducted performance testing with athletes competing at the John Green Texas Greatest Athletes Invitational from June 2-4 at the Greenhill School in Addison, Texas.
(An athlete competing in the high…
A&M-Commerce Hosts Area Special Olympics Athletes for Pickleball Challenge
A&M-Commerce hosted a Special Olympics pickleball skills challenge on May 11. More than 60 students attended the event from school districts including Commerce, Como-Pickton, Cooper, Farmersville, Quinlan and Wolfe City.
Commerce ISD teacher Alex Kirckof and Region 10 ESC Adapted…
A&M-Commerce Students Present at Texas Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Conference
Several A&M-Commerce graduate students from the Department of Health and Human Performance made poster presentations at the Texas Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine conference on February 23 and 24 in Waco, Texas.
For the ninth year, the…
A&M-Commerce to Host Rural Mental Health Forum in Greenville
The Counseling Center and the Department of Health and Human Performance at Texas A&M University-Commerce are partnering to host a free rural mental health forum at Fletcher Warren Civic Center in Greenville, Texas, on March 21.
Dr. Nick Patras, executive…
A&M-Commerce Faculty Member’s Analysis of Southwest Airlines Meltdown published in Star-Telegram
A&M-Commerce faculty member Brandy Runyan was featured in a Fort Worth Star-Telegram article about the recent Southwest Airlines scheduling crisis that resulted in a majority of flights being canceled amid the holiday travel rush.
As a public relations professional and…
America’s Fastest-Growing Sport is a “Big Dill” at A&M-Commerce
Students, faculty, staff and community members certainly relish the opportunity to learn and play pickleball at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Dubbed America's fastest-growing sport, pickleball appeals to a wide demographic including men, women, athletes and non-athletes of all ages.
The sport…
A&M-Commerce at Dallas to Host Summit on Elite Athlete Performance
The Department of Health and Human Performance at Texas A&M University-Commerce will present an Elite Combined Event High-Performance Summit on Monday, July 11 at the A&M-Commerce at Dallas site located at 8750 N. Central Expressway.
In conjunction with the Thorpe…
TAMUC College of Education and Human Services Publishes Online Journal
The College of Education and Human Services at A&M-Commerce has published the first issue of Literature Reviews in Education and Human Services. The peer-reviewed, online journal endeavors to provide a collection of high-quality literature reviews for topics related to education…
Longtime A&M-Commerce Faculty Member Honored with Emeritus Status
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents recently honored retired Texas A&M University-Commerce faculty member Henry Ross, Ph.D., with the designation of Instructor Emeritus of Health and Human Performance.
The Emeritus designation is the top honor granted to retired…
TAMUC Law Enforcement Cadets Participate in Research Study
Cadets in the Hunt County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Academy located at A&M-Commerce recently participated in a research study to determine how fitness parameters change for academy cadets over the course of their training.
The study was conducted by Michael…
A&M-Commerce Earns Silver Distinction for Campus Wellness Efforts
A&M-Commerce is one of only 156 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by the Exercise is Medicine program for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. The university's Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIM-OC)…
Lion Athletes Named to 2022 Lone Star Conference All-Academic Teams
The Lone Star Conference (LSC) recently announced its 2022 all-academic teams for men's and women's indoor track and field. Four A&M-Commerce student-athletes from the Department of Health and Human Performance made the list.
Iniuto Ukpong is the women's 2022 Academic…
TAMUC Alum Named Dean at Bemidji State University
Texas A&M University-Commerce alum Jeffrey Bell, Ph.D., was recently named dean of the College of Individual and Community Health at Bemidji State University. Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, BSU is a public university that serves more than 5,000 students in a…
A&M-Commerce Sport and Recreation Management Students Assist with Nationally Televised NCAA Football Games
Several students in the Sport and Recreation Management program at Texas A&M University-Commerce volunteered at two NCAA football games in 2021, the NCAA DII Football Championship game and the Armed Forces Bowl.
Clay Bolton, Ed.D., associate professor and program director,…
TAMUC Health and Human Performance Faculty, Students Attend State Conference
Faculty and students representing the A&M-Commerce Department of Health and Human Performance recently attended the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) annual conference in Arlington, Texas. The group made several presentations and brought home one award.…
Health and Human Performance Undergrad Selected for Research Funding
The Texas Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (TACSM) has selected A&M-Commerce student Taryn Cast to receive an undergraduate Student Research Development Award. The university will receive a $1,000 grant to support Cast's research project, “Physical Fitness of…