Featuring Dr. Kris Fox, professor of exercise science at Wayne State.
When she graduated from Wayne State College 25 years ago, Dr. Kris Fox was a student success story. Now, she’s back at Wayne State helping students create their success stories. Fox, a professor of exercise science at Wayne State, is this week’s subject of the Faculty Spotlight Series.
Before starting her teaching career at Wayne State in 2006, Fox worked as a certified athletic trainer for the Center for Neurosciences, Orthopedics & Spine in Dakota Dunes, S.D. She provided outreach athletic training services to several high schools in Northeast Nebraska in addition to the Wayne State College Athletic Department. Then, fate stepped in.
“A teaching position became available at Wayne State, and I didn’t know if one would be available later, so I jumped at the chance to return to my alma mater,” said Fox, a native of Stanton, Neb.
The stellar reputation of Wayne State’s Department of Health, Human Performance, and Sport may have also lured Fox back as well.
“Our department is comprised of great faculty who challenge students to be successful,” said Fox, who serves as the department chair. “We all want to create optimal learning experiences, so students are well prepared for their graduate programs and careers after graduating from Wayne State.”
“Students will receive a quality education preparing them to work in a variety of fields related to health, human performance, and sport,” added Fox. “Faculty have extensive networks and can help connect students with professionals currently working in their chosen career path. Faculty strive to stay current in their own fields so they can adequately prepare students for the future. Our faculty truly care about the students in our academic programs, and we enjoy working with them as they pursue their professional goals and career path.”
The Health, Human Performance, and Sport Department prepares students for careers in exercise science, physical education, sport management, athletic training, strength and conditioning, and other careers related to health and human performance. With a state-of-the-art human performance laboratory, students have access to elaborate equipment designed for a variety of testing needs, including body composition, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, and functional movement assessment. Facilities and equipment are used for physical health and wellbeing classes, exercise physiology labs, training students in fitness evaluation and injury assessment, and conducting research.
Some success stories of Wayne State graduates include doctors of physical therapy at Northeast Nebraska Physical Therapy, Hausmann Physical Therapy, ATI Physical Therapy, and TEAM Physical Therapy. Others are an orthopedic physician at the Center for Neurosciences Orthopedics and Spine, an athletic trainer with OrthoNebraska, a certified hand therapist with the Swift Institute, a chiropractor at Linn Family Chiropractic, and a physician assistant with Bryan Health.
Fox teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in applied human and sport physiology, exercise science, and human performance. She serves as the advisor for the Wayne State Pre-Physical Therapy/Pre-Occupational Therapy Club and the Cup of Grace – Lutheran Fellowship organization.
She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Mid-America Athletic Trainers' Association, Nebraska State Athletic Trainers' Association, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Fox serves as the contact for the Rural Health Opportunities Program’s (RHOP) pre-occupational therapy program.
Fox's research interests are non-medicated methods of treating and preventing insulin resistance, human performance and recovery, and injury prevention and rehabilitation. Her teaching interests are athletic training and sports medicine, nutrition, and strength and conditioning. She has numerous certifications to her credit.
Fox earned her bachelor’s degree in Vocational Business Education from Wayne State College, her master’s degree in Education (Exercise Science) from Wayne State College, and her Ph.D. in Athletic Training from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals.
Fun Fact: “I have walked on the Great Wall of China.”