Ph.D. in Kinesiology - New Mexico Tech

NM
STATE
UNIVERSITY
September 23,2009
Dr. Waded Crazado
EVP/Provost
New Mexico State University
MSC 3445
College of Education
Office of the Dean
MSC 3AC
New Mexico State Universitv
P.O. Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
57 5-646-2498, fax: 575-6 46-6032
The purpose of this letter is to express support from the New Mexico State University (\IMSU)
College of Education for the development of a Ph.D. program in Kinesiology that will be housed
in the department of Human Performance, Dance and Recreation (HPDR). The overarching
putpose of the degree program is to train future scientists and clinicians to be particularly expert
in translational research; that is, to develop models for the delivery of health and wellness
education initiatives to the community.
Over the last several years, NMSU has seen an emergence in the popularity of academic
programs in the Department of HPDR. This is, at least in part, due to secular changes with
respect to the emphasis placed on Physical Activity in the National Public Health Agenda. As the
prevalence of diseases and conditions related to inactivity increases, and as the numbers of older
adults living with mobility disabilities increases, the public health agenda of a number of federal
and state agencies have identified increasing physical activity as an important public health
objective and an important educational issue.
The Department of HPDR has responded to the needs of the state and nation by accommodating
an ever-growing number of undergraduate students interested in this field. The College of
Education at NMSU firmly believes that the needs of the state and nation would be even more
aptly served by the integration of a Ph.D. program in Kinesiology, housed within the department
of HPDR that focuses on health and education.
Specifically, the integration of the Ph.D. program will advance the needs of the state by:
a. Providing an efficient mechanism for meeting the ever-growing demands for
undergraduate instruction;
b. Enhancing scholarly productivity in an area of state and national need;
c. Enhancing community outreach in areas that reflect important public health
initiatives;
d. Contributing to a culture of healthy behaviors and reduce the prevalence of chronic
diseases and disabling conditions;
e. Lowering the health care burden imposed by an inactive and aging society.
Education is a lifelong process and the delivery of health and physical activity promotion
programs to a variety of populations in the schools or in programs for senior citizens, or any age
in between, speaks directly to the mission of the College of Education and is also consistent with
the expectations of a land-grant institution such as NMSU. Moreover, the element of addressing