Jennifer McKenzie '01, Ph.D.

A certified strength and conditioning specialist who is an encouraging advocate for Kinesiology students.

Encouraging | Quirky | Advocate: Jennifer McKenzie studied in the same ever-evolving program on the same Hill she now teaches on – McDaniel College. Growing up on a farm in Garrett County, Maryland, McKenzie knew she wanted to stay close to home for college. After receiving her master’s degree and doctorate degree in Kinesiology with a specialization in Exercise Physiology from the University of Maryland, College Park, McKenzie returned to teach at McDaniel in 2008. She teaches Introduction to Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Physiology Lab, Conditioning & Speed, and the capstone in Kinesiology.
When going to a liberal arts college, you don’t necessarily think of a state-of-the-art Kinesiology program. How has McDaniel changed that mentality?: Kinesiology is the study of human movement. It’s truly an interdisciplinary field drawing from many of the traditional liberal arts fields (biology, chemistry, history, philosophy, physics, psychology, sociology, etc.) and so many other areas of study (business, education, health, management). At McDaniel, we approach kinesiology in this interdisciplinary way. Our faculty bring real-world experience into the classrooms and labs and always put our students first. The new Kinesiology labs and classrooms are a bonus.
When students take courses in Kinesiology, what do you hope they take away from the experience?: Besides knowledge of how the human body moves, the desire to never stop learning, and the willingness to try new things, I hope students leave Kinesiology courses knowing how much we truly care about them as people.
As a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), how has that helped as a professor in your courses?: Although the CSCS applies more to my current research pursuits, it has helped inform my teaching. Some specific examples include incorporating additional/different movement tests and measures in my courses, describing processes in a variety of ways, and helping students prepare for certification exams. In sum, it helps me blend research, theory, and practice together in a relevant and meaningful way.

Fact

She has a connection to Authentic, the 2020 Kentucky Derby winning horse, as her family owns a microshare interest in him.

Sports

She is the reigning fantasy football champion of a league that dates back to her undergraduate days on the Hill.

McDaniel Pride

Not only is she an alumna, but her husband also earned his degree from the college in 2000.

Jennifer McKenzie '01, Ph.D.

About Prof. McKenzie

Outside of the Classroom