For the first time ever, CSUB will confer two master of science degrees in kinesiology, a health discipline that prepares professionals for fields like physical therapy, personal training, community wellness, coaching, nutrition and so much more. Halle Meadows and Jesenia Nieves, who enrolled in the fall of 2020, will be the first of the 19 students currently enrolled in the 18-month online program to earn their master’s.
“I developed such a close connection with my professors,” said Meadows, who earned her bachelor’s degree in applied exercise science from CSUB in 2018. “They’re doing their own research, so learning under people who are still striving to achieve makes you want to strive more as well.”
Nieves, who earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from CSU East Bay in 2020, said she had never had the opportunity to do research before enrolling in CSUB’s master’s program.
“The whole process was new to me, so I learned a lot. I think that research, in general, opened up my mind to look at things from a different perspective.”
Kinesiology lecturer Kris Grappendorf, who arrived at CSUB in 1998, said the program has exploded in popularity in recent years, a reflection of the region’s shortage of health and wellness professionals and the university’s commitment to align its course offerings to meet community needs.
“Our region has among the poorest health outcomes in the state, and we are an aging population,” Grappendorf said. “CSUB sees it as our mission to provide a workforce to address those issues.”
Dr. Zachary Zenko, kinesiology graduate program director, noted that the graduation of Nieves and Meadows is evidence that the program is maturing.
“Now we have a steady stream of incoming students and students making steady progress toward a degree in the program. Personally, this is my first graduating master’s student that I’m mentoring. I’m always going to remember this moment.”
Added Grappendorf:
“I get goosebumps when I think about it. We couldn’t have done this without our community partners. They told us, ‘Let’s get these graduates out in the field.’ It’s exciting and rewarding to see that it’s going to happen.”