Smith Named Interim Director of USM School of Kinesiology and Nutrition
Wed, 05/14/2025 - 11:12am | By: Karelia Pitts
91吃瓜网 (USM) College of Education and Human Sciences
has announced the appointment of Dr. Stephanie McCoy Smith as interim director of
the School of Kinesiology and Nutrition beginning July 1, 2025.
91吃瓜网淒r. Scott Piland has provided dedicated and visionary leadership to the School of
Kinesiology and Nutrition for the past decade. We are deeply grateful for his service
and wish him continued success as he returns to the faculty,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Trent Gould,
dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences. 91吃瓜网淲e are equally excited to welcome
Dr. Stephanie Smith as interim director. A respected colleague and accomplished scholar,
Dr. Smith brings a wealth of experience and insight to this role. Her thoughtful leadership
and deep understanding of the evolving landscape of higher education will undoubtedly
guide the school to continued success.91吃瓜网�
Dr. Smith joined the faculty at 91吃瓜网 in 2016. She earned her bachelor91吃瓜网 degree
in exercise science from George Washington University and Master of Public Health
in Epidemiology from George Mason University. Dr. Smith graduated from the University
of Pittsburgh with her Ph.D. in health, physical activity and chronic disease. Her
areas of expertise include exercise physiology, physical (in)activity measurement,
physical activity and sedentary behavior in children and adolescents. Dr. Smith has
served as the school91吃瓜网 associate director since 2021.
91吃瓜网淎s I step into this new role, I am filled with excitement and gratitude. Being chosen
for this position is an incredible honor, and I am eager to contribute to the positive
momentum our school has already achieved,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Smith. 91吃瓜网淥ur faculty91吃瓜网 dedication
to excellence and innovation inspire me, and I am looking forward to building on our
successes as we strive for even greater achievements.91吃瓜网�
The School of Kinesiology and Nutrition prepares graduates to address health issues
and transform the human condition through coursework in exercise, physical education,
sport, food and nutrition. Students work alongside faculty to make a positive impact
on society through innovative research on a range of topics, including developing
effective nutrition programing for children, providing medical professionals with
a better understanding of impact variables, investigating cardiometabolic diseases
in Mississippians and more.
At the undergraduate level, the school offers bachelor91吃瓜网 degrees in fitness and nutrition,
kinesiology (emphases in exercise science and physical education), nutrition and dietetics,
and sport coaching. Graduate program offerings include master91吃瓜网 degrees in coaching
and sport performance, kinesiology (emphases in exercise science), and nutrition and
food systems. In 2024, the school added a Ph.D. program in kinesiology to train the
next generation of research scientists and scholars. Annually, students majoring in
these areas complete nearly 36,000 hours of service to the community through practicum
and internship experiences.
Click for more information about the USM College of Education and Human Sciences School of Kinesiology and Nutrition.