Dr. Tracey Matthews, Dean, College of Health Professions and Wellness

Dr. Tracey Matthews, Dean
 Professor
Merrill Hall, Room 373
256-782-5428
tdmatthews@jsu.edu 

Dr. Matthews received her BS in Biomechanics at the University of Connecticut and her MS and Doctorate of Physical Education (DPE) at Springfield College, Springfield MA.

In 1997, Dr. Matthews began working at Castleton University in Vermont as an assistant professor of physical education. In 2000, she became Chairperson of the Physical Education department. While in Vermont, she served as Research Chair for the Eastern District of SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Education) America and President of Vermont AHPERD (Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance). In May 1998, she was honored with the Castleton Outstanding First-Year Faculty Award.

In 2002, she returned to Springfield College as an assistant professor of research and statistics. In 2008, Dr. Matthews was appointed as Chairperson of the Exercise Science and Sport Studies (ESSS) Department in the School of Physical Education, Performance and Leadership. From 2012-2014 she served as Faculty Senate President. In 2014, Dr. Matthews became Dean of the College of Health Professions and Wellness.

In January 2020, Dr. Matthews started her role as Dean of the College of Health Professions and Wellness at Jacksonville State University.

Dr. Matthews continues to be involved professionally. She currently serves as a member of the American College of Sports Medicine ActivEarth Taskforce. In most recent years, she has been Chair of the Measurement and Evaluation Council of SHAPE America, and Chair of the Editorial Board of the Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education and Exercise Science Journal. She received the honor award from the Measurement and Evaluation Council in 2012.

She has presented internationally, nationally, and regionally on topics including assessment, grading, measurement and mixed method research. She has also served as the statistical and research contributor to over 60 publications in the area of exercise science and physical education. The textbook she co-authored, Designing and Conducting Research in Health and Human Performance is utilized in undergraduate curricula related to Kinesiology and Physical Education, and is in its second edition.

Academic/Research Interests:
  • Physical Activity and Children
  • Measurement
  • Mentorship
Courses Taught:

(Previous to JSU)

Undergraduate:

  • Measurement and Evaluation
  • Research Methods in Athletic Training

Graduate:

  • Research Methods
  • Thesis and Dissertation Proposal Design
  • Statistics
  • Doctoral Statistics
  • Structural Equation Modeling
Education:
  • Bancroft School of Massage Therapy, 1989
  • University of Connecticut, BS, Sport Biomechanics 1997
  • Springfield College, MS, DPE (1995 and 1997)
Dr. Tracey Matthews