SIOUX CITY | How can you merge a pop culture movement with a major field of study that leads to viable career opportunities? At Briar Cliff, the answer is kinesiology and human performance – an area of study that gives students an understanding of the human body in an anatomical and physiological sense.
“In this ever-growing health conscious world we live in, going to the gym or hiring a personal trainer is the norm,” said Dr. Andrew Shim, director of Briar Cliff’s Department of Kinesiology and Human Performance.
In the academic world, this means more and more students are seeking majors that support career growth in that area. Scott Morton, a senior at Briar Cliff, said, “I decided on a kinesiology major because it is the science of the athlete. I felt that it combined my love for lifting and playing sports with my passion for science.”
The subject matter learned in kinesiology offers Morton relevant lessons to improve his lifting programs today. It also prepares him to go on and pursue his career aspiration of becoming a physician’s assistant.
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Only in its second year of operation at Briar Cliff, the university is investing great resources to ensure graduates of its kinesiology and human performance program will be highly trained, credentialed professionals. The university has made major investments in equipment such as the BodPod and the Biodex III to prepare students for research and assessment training.
Emily Kay, a senior at Briar Cliff, specifically cites her experience with the BodPod as a unique learning opportunity she has enjoyed.
“The BodPod offers one of the most accurate readings of a person’s body composition (fat vs lean),” said Kay. “This machine effectively measures healthy body fat percentages and then shows a chart of which body fat percentage category the participant fits in. In turn, we can use science to help identify effective exercise plans.”
Another distinguishing factor – the Briar Cliff kinesiology and human performance program is endorsed by the National Strength & Conditioning Association as an Education Recognized Program in the United States. Out of more than 700 programs in the country, Briar Cliff is one of just 100 schools recognized with this distinction.
This recognition was garnered in-part because of the well-thought-out curriculum put together by Shim. Students are taught to practice with an open mind. Since humans respond to stimuli in different ways, there is not just one physical well-being model that works for everyone. Teaching a tailored approach is necessary and complex. Briar Cliff has created a curriculum that does just that.
For instance, the Introduction to Research class and coupled with the University’s internship program teaches students to think "outside the box." Students are encouraged to use scientific principles to explain why differences exist and then develop a strategies to meet each client's goals.
“Exercise physiology has been my favorite thus far,” said Roberto Iron Shell, a junior at Briar Cliff. “It ties in a lot of other classes, such as theories of strength and conditioning, anatomy and nutrition.”
Morton, on the other hand preferred structural kinesiology. “It taught me exactly how each muscle works on the body,” he said. “Because of the information I learned in that class, I was able to to directly target certain muscles while exercising.”
At Briar Cliff, the value of an undergraduate education in kinesiology and human performance is only bolstered by the school’s offering of graduate degrees in the field. With the oversight of faculty, graduate students work alongside undergraduate students to get hands-on experience.
And, with a strong faculty chair leading the charge, students are in good hands. As graduate student, Jonathan Hanson, puts it, “Dr. Shim brings a lot to the table with his research, knowledge and expertise. Because of him, we will get all the information that we, as students, need to achieve our dreams.”
