Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Caring, dedicated faculty
As a student in public health or kinesiology, you’ll find that our talented, experienced faculty members are valuable resources and allies. They not only provide you with the knowledge and skills that you need but also help you achieve your academic goals and launch your career.
Our faculty members’ areas of research and expertise include disability sports, modern dance techniques , disease prevention, effects of exercise on the body, and muscle recovery and vascular health. Our instructors are passionate about teaching and their fields — and they care about your success.
Faculty and staff
Dr. Jay Thornton
Dr. Jay Thornton’s areas of interest are promoting physical activity, models of teaching and outdoor recreation. Before teaching in higher education, he worked in the public school system for seven years teaching physics, physical science and physical education and coaching athletics.
Dr. Thornton earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education in kinesiology from SFA. He holds an EdD from Texas A&M University-Commerce in supervision, curriculum and instruction-higher education.
Dr. MiHae Bae
Dr. MiHae Bae earned her Bachelor of Science in physical education and her Master of Arts in sport pedagogy from Seoul National University. She holds a PhD from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Linda Bobo
Dr. Linda Bobo’s areas of interest include effective clinical instruction and the utilization of video feedback. She completed her Bachelor of Science at Northeast Louisiana University and her Master of Education at Northwestern State University. She holds a PhD from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Her professional activities include serving as a sports medicine volunteer with the United States Olympic Committee.
Dr. Deborah Buswell
Dr. Deborah Buswell earned her Bachelor of Science in physical education from The University of Maine and her Master of Science in physical education from Baylor University.
She holds a PhD in adapted and developmental physical education from Texas Woman’s University. Her research interests include disability sports, inclusion and teacher preparation.
Dr. Derek Cegelka
Dr. Derek Cegelka earned his Bachelor of Science in health science from Lock Haven University and his Master of Public Health from East Stroudsburg University. He holds a PhD in health education from The University of Toledo.
His research interests include death and dying, gerontology and sexuality education.
Dr. Mary Hawkins
Dr. Mary Hawkins earned her Bachelor of Science in biology and two Master of Education degrees – in health and wellness promotion and in sports administration – from Northwestern State University. She holds a PhD in health science from the University of Arkansas.
Her areas of interest are community and public health, disease prevention, active living, program planning and program evaluation.
Dr. Eric Jones
Dr. Eric Jones earned his Bachelor of Science in fitness and sports medicine from Southeast Missouri State University. He earned both his Master of Arts and PhD in exercise physiology from the University of Alabama.
His areas of interest include environmental stress, thermoregulation, hydration and muscle recovery.
Dr. Dustin Joubert
Dr. Dustin Joubert earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in kinesiology from Sam Houston State University. He received his PhD in exercise physiology from Texas A&M University.
His research interests include endurance exercise performance, blood pressure and vascular health.
Amanda Moore
Amanda Moore earned her Bachelor of Science in education and human development from Bowling Green State University, where she majored in dance. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in dance choreography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
In addition to teaching at the university level, she has professional experience as a dance teacher and as an artist in residence at Dance Project in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Sharon Rice
Sharon Rice holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education in education from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Her professional experience includes public school teaching for Center Independent School District, where she was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2013 and 2017.
Dr. James Rowe
Dr. James Rowe holds a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Angelo State University, a Master of Science in exercise physiology from Texas Christian University and a PhD in exercise physiology from Texas Woman's University.
His research interests include the influence of diet and exercise risk factors for metabolic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Dr. DawnElla Rust
Dr. DawnElla Rust holds a Bachelor of Science in community health from Oklahoma State University, a Master of Science in health and physical education from Emporia State University, and an EdD in health promotion from Oklahoma State University.
Her professional goal is to make "healthy" the easy choice through policy, environmental change and system change.
Heather Samuelson
Heather Samuelson holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in dance from Sam Houston State University.
She specializes in modern dance in the Limon style and choreography.
Sarah Sanchez
Visiting Lecturer
Sarah Sanchez holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Texas State University and a Master of Fine Arts in dance from Sam Houston State University.
In addition to teaching at the university level, she has professional experience as a choreographer, dancer and fitness instructor.
Dr. John Stewart
Dr. John Stewart holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, a Master of Science in geography/geographic information science, a Master of Public Health and a PhD in health services policy and management from the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Victoria Wagner-Greene
Dr. Victoria Wagner-Green earned her Bachelor of Science in education from Bowling Green State University, her Master of Public Health from the Northwest Ohio Consortium of Public Health and her graduate certificate in contemporary gerontological practice from The University of Toledo. She also completed her PhD in health education at The University of Toledo.
Dr. Melinda Watts
Dr. Melinda Watts completed her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science at Stephen F. Austin State University. She earned her PhD in athletic training from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.
Her area of interest is injury prevention for rodeo athletes.
Dr. Kristina White
Dr. Kristina White holds a Bachelor of Science in education from the University of Miami, along with a Master of Science in sport pedagogy and a PhD in kinesiology, exercise, nutrition and health from Baylor University.
White has professional experience as a certified athletic trainer for Varsity Cheer and Southwest Sports Medicine in Texas.
Dr. Robyn Whitehead
Dr. Robyn Whitehead holds a Bachelor of Science in exercise science and a Master of Science in sports administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and a PsyD in health and wellness psychology from the University of the Rockies.
Her professional experience includes work as an exercise physiologist.
Dr. Todd Whitehead
Dr. Todd Whitehead holds a Bachelor of Science in exercise science, Master of Science in exercise physiology and PhD in applied physiology from the University of Southern Mississippi.
His areas of interest include ergogenic supplements and novel training techniques.
Jordan Berry
Bio coming soon!
Sellena Burger-Fennell
Bio coming soon!
Dr. Amber Chelette
Chelette is a native East Texan that came to the university in 2021. Her research interests include biomechanics of novel sports and movements, fitness assessments for persons with disabilities and innovative pedagogical methods. She, along with Dr. Robyn Whitehead and Dr. Todd Whitehead, received the Wolter’s Kluwer Innovation in Teaching in Exercise Science award in 2024.
Jaime Contreras
Bio coming soon!
Sarah Gill
Gill is SFA’s assistant bowling coach. During her time as a student at SFA, she was a student-athlete on the bowling team while studying kinesiology. In 2021, she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in kinesiology with a minor in health science.
Dr. Kimberly Howard
Howard earned her Bachelor of Science in nutrition and physical fitness and Master of Education in curriculum and instruction – health education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She earned her Doctorate in Education in health education from the University of Kansas. Her research interests include online health and wellness education design/instruction, obesity prevention, and health education digital literacy.
Hallie Huysmans
Bio coming soon!
Shelby Kite
Bio coming soon!
Dr. Robert McDermand
Dr. Robert McDermand has an extensive background in sport business and higher education administration. He has spent nearly two decades working in student-athlete academic services at four universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. McDermand received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Public Administration from Ohio State University. He completed a Master of Business Administration and a doctoral degree in educational leadership at SFA. McDermand was the Region IV director for the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletes and a member of the N4A Board of Directors from 2016 to 2019. His research interests include intercollegiate athletics, sociology of sports, sports business and the use of data in sports.
Kenneth Morton
Bio coming soon!
Dr. Muswamba Mwamba
Mwamba is an internationally board-certified lactation consultant, a public health practitioner and a scholar. His research interests center around immigrant health within minority groups in the context of health disparities in the United States. As a professor, Mwamba provides a global perspective on both clinical and nonclinical information to educate students about important advancements and trends in wellness, nutrition and public health leadership.
Mwamba is dedicated to continuous learning. He pursued his education in Belgium, obtaining a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering and a master's degree in the biochemistry of human nutrition from the Catholic University of Louvain. Additionally, he achieved a second master’s degree in food science and technology from Ghent University. Recognizing significant disparities in maternal and child health, he expanded his expertise in the complexities of public health in the U.S. and beyond. This led him to complete a master’s degree in public health at the University of North Texas and a doctoral degree in public health executive leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Wycliffe Njororai
Njororai is a professor and chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science. He has a doctoral degree in physical education and sport from Kenyatta University and focuses his research on intercollegiate sport, association football or soccer, track and field, sport labor migration, physical activity and health, performance sport, sociology of sport, pedagogy, recreation, and leadership in sports.
Amy Perkinson
Perkinson earned her Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Tarleton State University and her Master of Science in kinesiology from SFA.
Jasmine Randolph
Randolph serves as kinesiology and health science adjunct faculty. Jasmine holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a master’s degree in student affairs and higher education. During her time as an undergraduate, she became heavily involved with recreation where she found her passion. Randolph has continued her journey in collegiate recreation and serves as the assistant director for sport clubs at James Madison State University.
Bonnie Ryan
Bio coming soon!
Sally Sowell
Bio coming soon!
Mackenzie Suggs
Bio coming soon!
Dr. Keilea Sumrall
Sumrall completed her Bachelor of Science at SFA and Master of Science at Texas A&M University. She earned her Doctor of Health Science from A.T. Still University. Her areas of interest is athletic training education and injury prevention in the performing arts setting.
Jessica Waguespack
Waguespack holds a Bachelor of Science in community health from SFA and a Master of Science in health studies from Texas Women’s University. She also is a certified health education specialist.
Her professional experience includes work in worksite health, tuberculosis education, community health, wellness coaching, peer health education, and alcohol and drug misuse programming.
Steven Whitman
Whitman moved to Nacogdoches following his graduation from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and the University of Florida with a Master of Education in student personnel in higher education. Whitman works at SFA‘s Campus Recreation Department as the associate director of facilities.
Elexis Rockwell
Bio coming soon!
Contact
Department of Kinesiology and Health Science
936.468.3503
kinesiology@sfasu.edu
Faculty Directory
HPE Complex
Room 204
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 13015, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, Texas 75962