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Kinesiology and Health Sciences

Meet the Department Chair

Richard Laird, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Department Chair

About the Kinesiology Program

The Kinesiology program is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and dedicated professors with extensive experience as educators, coaches and researchers. The program covers a wide range of topics, including athletic training, coaching, exercise physiology, fitness leadership, physical education, teacher preparation, sport and exercise psychology, sport management, and pre-professional training for the allied health fields. With a Kinesiology degree from McDaniel College, students will be well-prepared for a variety of careers in the sports and health industries.

Meet the Department Chair

Richard Laird, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Department Chair

About the Health Sciences Program

The Health Sciences major provides entry to a wide variety of course tracks that allow students to select a program that matches their interests. The major is designed to help students pursue meaningful careers in allied health professions. 

We offer several personalized tracks within Health Sciences that will help you prepare for a variety of these positions. Each graduate and professional program will have its own unique prerequisite coursework and testing requirements. Therefore, Health Sciences majors are encouraged to identify schools of interest early in their academic career, as additional coursework outside the major may be necessary.

Nursing Specialization Advising

For additional information regarding the Health Sciences Nursing Specialization, please contact Heather Gable, Associate Professor/Nursing Program Director in the Nursing Department

Nursing Department

Faculty Spotlight

Jennifer McKenzie '01, Ph.D.

"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."

Jessica L. Ford, Ph.D.

"What I think is most notable about the Kinesiology program itself is that there are tons of opportunities for students to get real world experience that mirrors the roles and responsibilities that they will have within their respective careers post-graduation."

Diane L. Williams, Ph.D.

"I enjoy teaching students to think critically about the history, context, cultures, and potential of sports and physical activity. I encourage students to apply the theories and research to their own experiences, bringing the texts to life through examples, questions, and discussions."

Nick Razze Class of 2023

Class of 2023: Nick Razze Get to Know a Green Terror

Whether he was running on the track or student teaching in the classroom, Kinesiology major and Education minor Nick Razze’s goal was to make a positive impact. Inspired by educators in his family, he knew wanted to follow in their footsteps in college. The techniques and classroom strategies he learned in his favorite course, Methods in Physical Education, taught by Linda Kephart, will stay with him as he pursues a career as a teacher and coach.

Headshot of Josh Sproul

Alumni Spotlight Class of 2022: Josh Sproul

Josh Sproul will remember the McDaniel basketball courts as a place of inspiration, as a Green Terror athlete, student, and Kinesiology major. In his capstone titled “The Effects of Core Strength v. Ankle Stability on Explosive Power, Balance & Agility,” Josh combined his expertise in sports and health. With multiple opportunities to shadow physical therapists and membership in the Pre-Health and Kinesiology Clubs, Josh is ready to leap right into a physical therapy Ph.D. program after graduation.

Meet Graduates of the Kinesiology Department

We're proud to call these recent graduates alumni, and prouder still to share a selection of their stories here – told as only they can tell them, in their own words.

Nick Razze
Class of 2023 / Kinesiology

Josh Sproul
Class of 2022 / Kinesiology

Sebastian Whipple
Class of 2024 / Kinesiology, Biology, Chemistry

Hannah Ravenscroft
Class of 2020 / Kinesiology, Chemistry

Meet the Department Chair

Richard Laird, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Department Chair